THE Lll-KAiii
IKIGHAM YOUNG UNlVERSm
PROVO, UTAH
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THE NATURAL AND MOEAL HISTORY
OF THE INDIES.
VOL. II.
No. LXI.
^
q (0 > 4
THE
NATURAL & MORAL
HISTORY OF THE INDIES,
BT
FATHER JOSEPH DE ACOSTA.
REPRINTED FROM THE
ENGLISH TRANSLATED EDITION OF EDWARD GRIMSTON,
1604.
AND EDITED,
OTit]^ Kotes antJ an Kntrotiucticn,
BY
CLEMENTS R MARKHAM, C.B., F.KS.
VOL. n.
THE MOEAL HISTOEY
(books V, VI, AND VIl).
LONDON:
PRINTED FOR THE HAKLUYT SOCIETY.
MDCCCLXXX.
T. RICHATtDS, ^7, OKKAT QUEKN STRKTIT, W.C.
COUNCIL
or
THE HAKLUYT SOCIETY.
Colonel H. YULE, C.B., President.
Admiral C. R. DRINKWATER BETHUNE, C.B. )
\- Vice-Presidents.
Major-Geneeal Sir HENRY RAWLINSON, K.C.B. j
W. A. TYSSEN AMHERST, Esq., M.P.
Rev. De. G. P. BADGER, D.C.L.
J. BARROW, Esq.
WALTER DE GRAY BIRCH, Esq.
E. H. BUNBURY, Esq.
The Eael of DUCIE.
Captain HANKEY, R.N.
Lieut.-Geneeal Sir J. HENRY LEFROY, C.B., K.C.M.G.
R. H. MAJOR, Esq.
Rear-Admieal MAYNE, C.B.
Colonel Sir WM. L. MEREWETHER, C.B., K.C.S.I.
DELMAR MORGAN, Esq.
Admiral Sir ERASMUS OMMANNEY, C.B.
Lord ARTHUR RUSSKLL, M.P.
The Lord STANLEY of Alderlet.
EDWARD THOMAS, Esq.
Lieut.-General Sir HENRY THUILLIER, C.S.I.
CLEMENTS R. MARKHAM, C.B. , Honorary Secketaky.
CONTENTS OF THE SECOND VOLUME.
PAGE
Analytical Table of Contents . . . i
The Moral HisTopy. Fifth Book . . . 298
„ „ Sixth Book . . .390
55
Seventh Book . . 448
Contents of the Index .... 535
Index ...... 535
NOTICE.
The two Volumes are paged throughout, and the Index is at the
end of the Second Volume.
ANALYTICAL TABLE OF CONTENTS.
MORAL HISTORY.
BOOK V.
Prologue to the following Books - - - 296
Chapter 1. — That the pride and malice of the Divell hath been the
cause of idolatrie.
Scriptural evidence of the Devil's pride - - 298
He hath retired into remote parts - - - 299
Always inventing idolatries - - - - 300
Chapter 2. — Of many kinds of idolatry the Indians have used.
Worship of elements called Huaca - - - 301
Idolatry of images or of the dead . _ . 301
Chapter 3. — That the Indians have some knowledge of God.
Peruvians acknowledge a Supreme Being - - 301
There is no name for God among them - - 302
Offerings to Viracocha by Peruvians - - - 303
Difficulty in dealing with idolaters - - - 303
Chapter 4. — On the first kinde of idolatrie^ upon naturall and
universcdl things.
Adoration of the sun _ _ - _ 303
Worship of thunder and lightning - - - 304
Of the earth, rainbow, and stars - - - 305
Names of stars - - _ _ . 305
Mexican worship of Vitzilipuztli - ' - - 305
The sin of idolatry ... . . 3O6
11 ANALYTICAL TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Chapter 5. — Of the idolatry of the Indians used to particular
things.
The Devil has also made them worship base things - 307
Peruvians worship all things in nature - - 308
Belief in a deity of all best things of their kind - - 308
The Apachitas or votive heaps _ . . 309
An Ynca sceptic touching the sun - - - 310
Chapter 6. — Of another hind of idolatry upon the dead.
Mourning for the dead becomes idolatry - - 311
Images and mummies of the dead - - - 312
Chapter 7. — Of the superstitions they used to the dead.
Peruvian belief in a future state - - - 313
They carefully preserved dead bodies - - - 313
Human sacrifices to the dead - - - 314
Food and clothes placed with the dead- - - 315
Chapter 8. — Of the manner of burying the dead among the
Mexicaine and sundrie other nations.
In Mexico the priests interred the dead - - 315
Custom of burning the dead - - - 315
The servants of a great man killed at his funeral - 316
Chapter 9. — The fourth and last kinde of idolatry the Indians
used, especially the Mexicaines^ to images and idolls.
The Holy Ghost condemns worship of images - - 317
The idol of Vitzilipuztli in Mexico - - - 318
Temple of the Mexican idol - - - - 3 1 9
Dress and form of the image _ _ - 320
Idol of Quetzaalcoatl in Cholula _ . - 321
Feast in Tlascala - - - - 322
Chapter 10. — Of a strange manner of idolatry practised amongst
the Mexicaines.
Intended victims worshipped as the idol - - 323
ANALYTICAL TABLE OF CONTENTS. Ill
Chapter 11. — How the Dwell hath laboured to make himself equall
unto God, and to imitate him. in his sacrifices, religion, cmd
sacraments.
The Devil strives to imitate the religion of God - - 324
Scarce anything that the Devil has not counterfeited - 325
Chapter 12. — Of the temples that were found at the Indies.
In every province of Peru there was a chief Huaca - 325
The great temple at Cuzco - - - - 326
The golden image of the sun _ _ . 326
Chapter 13. — Of the Proud Temples at Mexico.
Famous temple of Vitzilipuztli - - - 327
Description of the temple - - - - 328
Other temples in Mexico . _ _ _ 329
Chapter 14. — Of the Priests and their ojices.
Mexicans had several grades of priests - - 330
Their duties - - - - - 331
Chapter 15. — Of the Monastery of Virgi7is,
Many convents of virgins in Peru - .. . 332
Duties of the virgins - - . _ 332
Keligious women in Mexico - - - - 333
Chapter 16. — Of the Monasteries of religious men that the Devill
hath invented for superstition.
Letters from Jesuits in Japan touching the Bonzes - 334
In Peru there were no monasteries for men - - 335
In Mexico there were houses of secluded men - - 336
Little boys as novices in Mexico - - - 336
Dress and penance of Mexican monks - - - 337
Chapter 17. — Of Penance and Strictnes the Indians have used at
the DivelVs persuasion.
Penance of Mexican priests - - - - 339
Discipline at feast of Tezcatlipuca - - - 339
Peruvian fasts ----- 339
h 2
IV ANALYTICAL TABLK OP CONTENTS.
Chapter 18. — Of the sacrifices the Indians 'made to the Bivell, and
wherefore.
Peruvian sacrifices of shells, coca, etc. - - 340
Sacrifice of animals - - - - 341
Sacrifices of first fruits - - - - 343
Chapter 19. — Of the sacrifices they made of men.
Human sacrifices in Peru - - - - 344
Malice of the Devil - - - - 345
Chapter 20. — Of the horrible sacrifices of men which the Mexicans
used.
Mexicans sacrificed captives - - - - 346
The manner of sacrificing - - - 347
Dress of the priests _ _ . _ 348
The bodies cast down a flight of steps - - - 349
Chapter 21. — Of another kind of sacrificing of 7nen which the
Mexicaines used.
The flaying of men - - - - 350
The victim reverenced as a God - - - 351
Captives sought for to sacrifice - - - 352
Chapter 22. — How the Indians grew weary and could not endure
the cruelty of Satha^i.
The Indians desire to be freed from priestly yoke - 352
Spaniards resolved to abolish the sacrifices - - 353
A victim spoke after his heart was cut out - - 353
Chapter 23. — How the Divell hath laboured to imitate and counttr-
feite the Sacraments of the Holy Church.
Solemn feast of Ray mi in Peru - - - 354
Feast of Situa ----- 355
Ceremony resembling communion - - - 355
ANALYTICAL TABLE OP CONTENTS. V
Chapter 24. — In tvhat manner the Divell hath laboured to counter-
feite the feast of the Holy Sacrament and Communion used
in the Holy Church.
Mexican virgins make the image of their God of paste and
honey - - . - - - 356
Procession of the idol - - - - 357
The paste offered to the idol - _ _ 353
After the ceremony the paste is eaten - - - 359
Chapter 25. — Of Confessors and Confession which the Indians
used.
Confession most general in the Collao - - - 361
The Ynca only confessed to the sun - - - 361
Practices of sorcerers - - - - 362
Confession in Japan - - - - 363
Chapter 26. — Of the abominable unction which the Mexicaine
Friestes and other nations used, and of their witchcraftes.
Mexican priests anointed - ^ - - - 364
Method of preparing the nnction . _ _ 355
Eeputed power of the unction _ _ _ 355
Sorcerers in Peru - - - - - 367
Their divination ----- 368
Chapter 27. — Of the ceremonies and customs of the Indians which
are like unto ours.
Their baptisms and marriages - - - 369
Mexican marriage and divorce - - - 370
Numerous idols in Mexico and Peru - - - 371
Chapter 28. — Of some Feasts celebrated by them of Cusco, and how
the Divell would imitate the mysterie of the Holy Trinitie.
Peruvian feast of Raymi - - - - 372
Peruvian Trinity - - - - - 372
Other months and feasts of the Peruvians - - 374
Feast of Situa - - - - - 375
VI ANALYTICAL TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Chapter 29. — Of the feast of Jubilee wliicli the Mexicaines
celebrated.
Feast of Tezcatlipuca - - - 377 to 384
Chapter 30. — Of the Feast of Mar chants which those of Chobetecas
celebrated.
Feast of Quetzalcoatl - - - - 384
Mexican festivals ----- 385
Chapter 31. — What profit may be drawne out of this discourse of
the Indians super'stitioois.
Profit from the study of Indian superstitions - - 388
BOOK VI.
Chapter 1. — That they erre in their opinion which hold the Indians
to want Judgment.
Ill-treatment of the Indians - - - 390
Authorities for Peru and Mexico - - - 391
Chapter 2. — Of the method of computing time and the Kalendar
the Mexicaines used.
Mexican calendar - - . . . 392
Chapter 3. — How the Kings Yncas accounted the y eaves and
moneths.
Peruvian calendar - - . . 395
Chapter 4. — That no nation of the Indies hath beene found to have
had, the use of letters.
Letters unknown in America - - - 397
Chapter 5. — Of the fashion of letters and booJces the Chinois used.
Chinese vvriting - - . _ 399
ANALYTICAL TABLE OF CONTENTS. Vll
Chapter 6. — Of the schools and universities in China.
Chinese learning - - - - - 401
Chapter 7. — Of the fashion of letters and writings which the Mexi-
caines used.
Mexican picture writing . - - - 403
Mexican records ----- 404
Chapter 8. — Of Registers and the manner of reckoning which the
Indians of Peru used.
Peruvian Quipus ----- 406
Chapter 9. — Of the order the Indians holde in their writing.
Various ways of writing - - , - - 408
Chapter 10. — How the Indians dispatched their messengers.
Use of messengers _ . _ - 409
Chapter 11. — Of the manner of government and of the Kings
which the Indians had.
Government in various countries - - - 410
Mexico and Peru compared - - - - 411
Chapter 12. — Of the Government of the Kings Yncas of Peru.
Ynca ceremonies - - - - - 412
Ynca government - - - - 413
Chapter 13. — Of the distrihutioii the Yncas made of their vassals.
Divisions of the Ynca Empire - - - 414
Chapter 14. — Of the edifices and maner of buildings of the Yncas.
Ynca edifices - - - - - 415
Ynca bridges - - - - -416
Chapter 15. — Of the Yncas revenues, and the order of Tributes they
imposed upon the Iiidians.
Ynca revenue and tribute - - - - 418
Flocks of llamas ----- 420
Vlll ANALYTICAL TABLE OF CONTENTS.
CiiArTER 16. — Of arts and offices which the Indians did exercise.
Arts and handicrafts - - - - 421
Head dresses ----- 422
Chapter 17. — Of the posts and Chasquis the Indians did use.
Posts and messengers _ _ - - 423
Chapter 18. — Of the justice, laives, and 2)unishments ivhich the
Yncas have established, and of their marriages.
Ynca marriages ----- 424
Chapter 19. — Of the Original I of the Yncas, Lords of Peru, with
their conquests and victories.
Indian Governments - . _ . 426
Extent of the Ynca Empire - - - - 427
Origin of the Yncas - - - - 428
Chapter 20. — Of the first Ynca, and his Successors.
Lineage of the Yncas - - - - 429
Chapter 21. — Of Pachacuti Ynca Yupanqui and what happened in
his time unto Guaynacapa.
Ynca traditions - - - - - 430
Manners of the Yncas . _ . _ 432
Chapter 22. — Of the greatest and most famous Ynca ccdled
Guanacapa.
Conquests of Huayna Ccapac - - - 433
The body of Huayna Ccapac sent to Lima - - 434
Deatli of Huascar - - - - 434
Chapter 23. — Of the last Successors Yncas.
Manco Ynca - - - _ _ 435
Execution of Tupac Amaru - - - - 435
Succession of Yncas > - _ .. 43(3
Chapter 2 [.--Of the vuDtner of the Mexicans common-ueal.
Mexican succession - . _ _ 43(5
ANAliYTICAL TABLE OF CONTENTS. IX
Chapter 25. — Of the titles and dignities the Indians used.
Mexican nobility ----- 438
Chapter 26. — How the Mexicaines made war^ and of their orders
of Knighthood.
Mexican warfare ----- 440
Mexican knighthood - - - . - 441
Chapter 27. — Of the great order and diligence the Mexicaines used
to instruct their youth.
Schools in the Mexican temples - - . - 442
Training for soldiers and priests - _ - 443
Chapter 28. — Of the Indians feasts and dances.
Dances in Peru - - - - - 444
Dances in Mexico - - - - 445
Music and dancing - . . . 446
BOOK VII.
Chapter 1. — That it is profitable to understand the action of the
India7is, especially the Mexicans.
Profit to be derived from history - - _ 443
Chapter 2. — Of the ancient inhabita^its of New Spaine^ and how
the Navatlacas came thither.
Chichemecas, the first inhabitants of Mexico - - 449
Habits of the wild people - - - - 450
Invasion of the Navatlacas - - - - 451
Chapter 3, —Hoiv the six Lineages of Navatlacas peopled the land
of Mexico.
Lineages of the Navatlacas - - - - 452
War between Tlascaltecas and Chichimecas - - 453
Peopling of America - - _ , 455
X ANALYTICAL TABLE OP CONTENTS.
Chapter 4. — Of the Mexicaines departure, of their journey , and
peopling of the Province of Mechoacan.
Migration of the Mexicans - - - - 456
Chapter 5. — Of that which happened in Malinalca in Tula^ and in
Chapultepec.
Continued migration of the Mexicans - - - 459
Chapter 6. — Of the Warres the Mexicaines had against them of
Cidhuacan,
Mexicans and the King of Culhuacan - - - 461
Continued march . _ - . 462
Chapter 7. — Of the foundation of Mexico.
Foundation of Tenoxtitlan or Mexico - - - 463
Division of the city into quarters . _ _ 464
Chapter 8. — Of the sedition of those of Tlatelulco, and of the first
Kings the Mexicaines did choose.
Sedition of Tlatelulco _ _ . _ 465
First Mexican King - - - - 466
Chapter 9. — Of the strange tribute the Mexicaines paid to them of
Azcapuzalco.
Mexican tribute to Azcapuzalco - - - 468
Floating gardens - - - - -469
Death of the first Mexican King - - - 470
Chapter 10. — Of the second King, and what happened in his
raigne.
The second Mexican King - -' - - 471
Death of the second King - - - - 472
Chapter 11. — Of Ghimalpopoca, the third king, aiid his cruell
death, and the occasion of the loarre which the Mexi-
caines made.
The third Mexican King - - - - 473
Power of Mexican Kings - - - - 474
Murder of the third Mexican King - - - 475
ANALYTICAL TABLE OF CONTENTS. XI
Chapter 12. — Of the fourth King called Izcoalt, and of the war
against the Tepanecas.
The fourth Mexican King - - - - 477
The warrior Tlacaellel - - - - 478
Chapter 1 3. — Of the hattell the Mexicaines gave to the Tepa-
necas, and of the victory they obtained - - 480
Chapter 14. — Of the tvarre and victory the Mexicaines had
against the Cittie of Guyoacaii - - - 483
Chapter 15. — Of the warre and victorie the Mexicaines had
against the Suchimilcos _ - _ 485
Chapter 16. — Of the fift King of Mexico , called Monte-
zuma, the first of that name - _ . 488
Chapter 1 7 . — How Tlacaellel refused to be King, and of the
election and deedes of Ticocic - - - 491
Chapter 18. — Of the death of Tlacaellel, and the deedes of
Axayaca, the seventh King of the Mexicaines - - 494
Chapter 19. — Of the deedes of Autzol, the eighth King of
Mexico.
Accession of the eighth king - - - 497
Conquests of Autzol - - - - 497
Macliinations of a sorcerer - - - . 498
Water brought to Mexico - - - - 499
Chapter 20. — Of the election of great Montezuma, the last King of
Mexico.
Character of Montezuma - - ., . 500
Speech of the King of Tezcuco ... 501
Reply of Montezuma - , - . 502
Xll ANALYTICAL TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Chapter 21. — How Montezuma ordered the service of his house, and
of the ivarre he made for his coronation.
Household of Montezuma - - - - 503
Coronation of Montezuma - - - - 504
Chapter 22. — Of the behaviour and greatnes of Montezuma.
Government of Montezuma _ _ . 505
Chapter 23. — Of the presages and strange 2)rodigies v)hich hap2')ened
in Mexico before the fall of their Empire.
Signs and wonders . . _ . 506
Credibility of omens - - - - 507
A talking stone - - - - - 509
Strans'e omens - - - - - 510
^to"
Chapter 24. — Of the newes Montezuma received of the Spaniards
arrival in his countrey, and of the Ambassage he sent them.
Arrival of the Spaniards - - - - 513
Reception of Cortes - - - - 514
Keturn of the ambassadors - - - - 515
Terror of Montezuma - - - - 516
Chapter 25. — Of the Spaniards entrie into Mexico.
Montezuma's strategy - - - - 517
Meeting of Cortes and Montezuma - - - 518
Interview with Montezuma - - - 519
Chapter 26. — Of the death of Montezuma and the Spaniards
departure out of Mexico.
Rising of the Mexicans - - - - 520
Death of Montezuma - - - - 522
Retreat of the Spaniards . - - - 522
Submission of the Mexicans - - - 523
ANALYTICAL TABLE OF CONTENTS. Xlll
Chapter 27. — Of some miracles which God hath shovjed at the
Indies in favour of the faith, beyond the desert of those that
wrought them.
Santa Cruz de la Sierra - . - - 524
Curing by miracles . . - - 525
Miracle at the siege of Cuzco - - - 526
Divine interposition on the side of the Spaniards - 526
Chapter 28. — Of the manner how the Divine Providence disposed
of the Indies, to give an entrie to the Christian Religion,
Designs of Providence - - - - 527
Importance of large monarchies . _ - 528
Difficulty in converting small tribes - - - 528
Divisions among the natives a great help - - 529
Gallantry of the Araucans - - - - 529
Aids to conversion - - - - 530
Defeat of Satan - - _ _ - 531
Fruits of conversion - - - - 532
Conclusion _ _ . - - 533
A Prologue to the Bookes following.
Having intreated of the Natural History of the Indies,
I will hereafter discourse of the Morall History, that is to
say of the deeds and customes of the Indians. For after the
heaven, the temperature, the scituation, and the qualities of
the new world ; after the elements and mixtures — I mean
mettals, plants, and beasts, whereof we have spoken in the
former Bookes, as occasion did serve ; both Order and
Reason doth invite vs to continue and vndertake the dis-
course of those men which inhabite the new world. And
therefore I pretend in the following bookes to speake what
I thinke worthie of this subiect. And for that the intention
of this Historie is not onely to give knowledge of what
hath passed at the Indies, but also to continue this know-
ledge, to the fruite we may gather by it, which is to helpe
this people for their soules health, and to glorifie the
Creator and Redeemer, who hath drawne them from the
obscure darkenes of their infidelitie, and imparted vnto
them the admirable light of his Gospel. And therefore I
will first speake in these bookes following what concernes
their religion or superstition, their customes, their idolatries,
and their sacrihces ; and after, what concerned their policie
296
and government_, their lawes, customes, and their deedes.
And for that the memorie is preserved amongst the Mexi-
caine Nation, of their beginnings, successions, warres, and
other things worthie the relation; besides that which shall
be handled in the sixt booke, I will make a peculiar Dis-
course in the seventh, shewing the disposition and fore-
warnings this Nation had of the new Kingdome of Christ
our Lord, which should be extended in these Countries, and
should conquer them to himselfe, as he hath done in all the
rest of the world. The which in truth is a thing worthie of
great consideration, to see how the divine providence hath
appointed that the light of his word should finde a passage
in the furthest boundes of the world. It is not my proiect
at this time to write what the Spaniardes have done in
those partes, for there are bookes enow written vpon this
subiect, nor yet how the Lordes servants have laboured
and profited, for that requires a new labour. I will onely
content ray selfe to plant this Historic and relation at the
doores of the Gospel, seeing it is alreadie entered, and to
make knowne the Naturall and Morall things of the Indies,
to the end that Christianitie may be planted and augmented,
as it is expounded at large in the bookes we have written,
De procuranda Indiorum salute. And if any one wonder at
some fashions and customes of the Indies, and wil scorne
them as fooles, or abhorre them as divelish and inhumane
people, let him remember that the same things, yea, worse,
have beene scene amongst the Greekes and Romans, who
have commanded the whole world, as we may easily vnder-
297
standi not onely of our Authors^ as Eusebius of Cesarea,
Clement of Alexandria, and others^, but also of their owne,
as Plinie^ Dionysius of Halicarnaus, and Plutarke : for the
Prince of darkness being the head of all Infidelities it is no
new thing to finde among Infidells, cruelties, filthines, and
follies fit for such a master. And although the ancient Gen-
tiles have farre surpassed these of the new world in valour
and naturall knowledge, yet may wee observe many things
in them woorthie the remembrance. But to conclude, they
shew to be barbarous people, who being deprived of the
supernaturall light, want likewise philosophie and natural
knowledge.
tJ
THE FIFT BOOKE
Of the Naturall and Morall Historic of the
Indies.
Chap. i. — That the Fride and Malice of the Dlvcll hatk
heene the cause of Idolatrie.
Lib. v. The Pride and Presumption of tlie Divell is so great and
obstinate that alwaies hee seekes and strives to be honoured
as God^ and doth arrogate to himsolfe all hee can^ what-
soever doth appertaine to the most high God^ hee ceaseth
not to abuse the blinde Nations of the world vpon whom
the cleere light of the holy Gospel hath not yet shone.
lob xii. Wee read in lob of this prowd tyrant, who settes his eyes
aloft, and amongst all the sons of pride, he is the King.
The holy Scripture instructes vs plainely of his vile inten-
tions, and his overweening treason, whereby he hath pre-
tended to make his Throne equall vnto Gods, saying in
Isaiah XIV. Isaiah, "Thou diddest say within thy selfe, I will mount vp
to heaven and set my chaire vpon all the starres of heaven,
and I will sit vpon the toppe of the Firmament, and in the
sides of the North, I will ascend above the height of the
cloudes, and will be like to the most high." And in
J^Jl^i Ezekiel, "Thy heart was lifted up, and thou hast said, I
am God, and have set in the chaire of God in the midst of
the sea.^^ Thus doth Satan continually persist in this
wicked desire to make himselfe God. And although the
iust and severe chastisement of the most high hath spoiled
him of all his pompe and beautie, which made him grow
prowd, being intreated as his fellonic and indiscretion had
XXVIU.
PRIDE OF THE DEVIL. 299
deserved^ as it is written by the same Propliets ; yet hath ^^^•
he left nothing of his wickedness and perverse practises^
the which he hath made manifest by all meanea possible,
like a mad dogge that bites the sword wherewith he is
strucken. For as it is written, the pride of such as hate
God doth alwaies increase. Hence comes the continuall
and strange care which this enemie of God hath alwaies
had to make him to be worshipt of men, inventing so many
kinds of Idolatries, whereby he hath so long held the gretest
part of the world in subiection, so as there scarce remaines
any one corner for God and his people of Israel. And since Mart. xii.
the power of the Gospel hath vanquished and disarmed
him^ and that by the force of the Crosse, hee hath broken
and ruined the most important and puissant places of his
kingdome with the like tyrannic, hee hath begunne to
assaile the barbarous people and nations farthest off, striving
to maintaine amongst them his false and lying divinitie,
the which the Sonne of God had taken from him in his
Church, tying him with chaines as in a cage or prison, like
a furious beast, to his great confusion, and reioycing of the
servants of God, as he doth signify in lob.
But in the end, although idolatrie had beene rooted out
of the best and most notable partes of the worlde, yet he
hath retired himself into the most remote parts, and hath
ruled in that other part of the worlde which, although it be
much inferiour in nobilitie, yet is it not of less compasse.
There are two causes and chiefe motives for the which the
divell hath so much laboured to plant idolatry and all in-
fidelity, so as you shall hardly finde any Nation where there
is not some markes thereof. The one is this great pre-
sumption and pride, which is such, that whoso would con-
sider how hee durst affront the very Sonne of God, and
true God, in saying impudently, that he should fall downe
and worship him ; the which he did, although he knew not
certainely that this was the very God, yet had he some Mat. iv.
300 MALICE OF THE DEVIL.
Lib. v.
opinion that it was the Sonne of God. A most cruell and
horrible pride to dare thus impudently affront his God.
Truely wee shall not finde it very strange that hee makes
himselfe to be worshipped as God by ignorant Nations,
seeing hee would seeke to be worshipped by God himselfe,
calling himselfe God, being an abhominable and detestable
creature. The other cause and motive of idolatrie is the
mortall hatred he hath conceived for ever against man-
kinde. For as our Saviour saith, hee hath beene a mur-
therer from the beginning, and holdes it as a condition and
inseparable qualitie of his wickednesse. And for that hee
knowes the greatest misery of man is to worship the crea-
ture for God ; for this reason hee never leaves to invent all
sortes of Idolatries to destroy man and make him ennemy
to God. There are two mischiefes which the divell causeth
in idolatry : the one, that hee denies his God, according to
Deut.xxxii. the text, "Thou hast left thy God who created thee^^; the
other is, that hee doth subiect himselfe to a thing baser
than himselfe ; for that all creatures are inferior to the rea-
sonable, and the divell, although hee be superior to man in
nature, yet in estate he is much inferior, seeing that man
in this life is capable of Divinitie and Eternitie. By this
meanes God is dishonoured, and man lost in all parts by
idolatry, wherewith the divell in his pride is well content.
Chap. ii. — Of many Mndes of idolatry the Indians
have used.
Sap. xiv. Idolatry, saieth the Holy-Ghost by the Wise man, is the
cause, beginning, and end of all miseries ; for this cause the
enemy of mankinde hath multiplied so many sortes and
diversities of idolatry, as it were an infinite matter to spe-
cific them all. Yet we may reduce idolatry to two heades,
the one grounded vppon naturall things, the other vpon
BELIEF IN A SUPREME BEING. 301
things imagined and made by mans invention. The first
is divided into two ; for eyther the thing they worship is
generally as the Sunne^ Moone, Fire^ Earthy and Elements,
or else it is particular, as some certayne river, fountaine,
tree, or forrest, when these things are not generaly wor-
shipped in their kindes, but onely in particular. In this
first kind of idolatry they have exceeded in Peru, and they
properly call it Huaca. The second kinde of idolatry, which
depends on mans inventions and fictions, may likewise be
divided into two sortes, one which regards onely the pure arte
and invention of man, as to adore the images or statues of
gold, wood, or stone, of Mercury or Pallas, which neyther
are, nor ever were any thing else but the bare pictures ;
and the other that concernes that which really hath beene,
and is in trueth the same thing, but not such as idolatry
faines, as the dead, or some things proper vnto them,
which men worshippe through vanitie and flatterie, so as
we reduce all to foure kindes of idolatry, which the infi-
dells vse ; of all which it behooveth us to speake some-
thing.
Lib. v.
Chap. hi. — That the Indians have some Jcnoivledge of God,
First, although the darknesse of infidelitie holdeth these
Nations in blindenesse, yet in many thinges the light of
truth and reason works somewhat in them. And they com-
monly acknowledge a supreame Lord and Author of all
things, which they of Peru called Yiracocha,^ and gave him
names of great excellence, as Pachacamac, or Pachayacha-
chic,^ which is the Creator of heaven and earth : and Ysapu,^
' See G. de la Vega (ii, p. 66) for the meaning of the word Viracocha^
properly, Uira-ccocha.
^ PachacamaCy Creator of the World. PacJiayacTiacJiic, Teacher of
the World. . ^ Sapay^ Only.
302 NO NAME FOE GOD.
Lib. V. which is admirable, and otlier like names. Him they did
worship^ as the chiefest of all, whom they did honour in be-
holding the heaven. The like wee see amongst them of
Mexico and China, and all other infidelles. Which accord-
eth well with that which is saide of Saint Paul, in the Acts
of the Apostles, where hee did see the Inscription of an
Altare, Ignoto Deo — To the vnknown God. Wherevpon
the Apostle tooke occasion to preach unto them, saying.
Acts xvii, " He whome you worship without knowing, him doe I preach
vnto you^'. In like sort, those which at this day do preach
the Gospel to the Indians find no great difficultie to perswade
them that there is a high God and Lord over all, and that
this is the Christians God and the true God. And yet it
hath caused great admiration in me, that although they had
this knowledge, yet had they no proper name for God.
If wee shall seeke into the Indian tongue for a word to
answer to this name of God, as in Latin, JDenSj in Greeke,
Theos, in Hebrew, El, in Arabike, Alia; but wee shall not
finde any in the Cuscan or Mexicaine tongues. So as such
as preach or write to the Indians vse our Spanish namo
DioSj fitting it to the accent or pronunciation of the Indian
tongues, the which differ much, whereby appeares the small
knowledge they had of God, seeing they cannot so much as
name him, if it be not by our very name : yet in trueth they
had some little knowledge, and therefore in Peru they made
him a rich temple, which they called Pachacamac, which was
the principall Sanctuarie of the realme. And as it hath
been saide, this word of Pachacamac is, as much to say, as
the Creator, yet in this temple they vsed their idolatries,
worshipping the divell and figures. They likewise made
sacrifices and offrings to Viracocha, which held the chiefe
place amongst the worships which the Kings Yncas made.
Heereof they called the Spaniards Virocochas, for that they
holde opinion they are the sonnes of heaven, and divine ;
oven as others did attribute a deitie to Paul and Barnabas,
FORMS OF IDOLATRY. ' 303
calling the one lupiter^ and the other Mercurie^ so woulde ^° '^'
they offer sacrifices vnto them, as vnto gods : and as the
Barbarians of Melita (which is Malta), seeing that the viper Actsxviii.
did not hurt the Apostle, they called him Grod.
As it is therefore a trueth, conformable to reason^
that there is a soveraigne Lorde and King of heaven,
whome the Gentiles, with all their infidelities and ido-
latries, have not denyed, as wee see in the Philosophy
of Timseus in Plato, in the Metaphisickes of Aristotle, and Arist^c"^"^'
in the Asclepio of Tresmigister, as also in the Poesies of metaph.
Homer and Virgil. Therefore the Preachers of the Gospel in Piman- '
have no great difficultie to plant and perswade this truth Asciepio.
of a supreame God, be the Nations of whome they
preach never so barbarous and brutish. But it is hard
to roote out of their mindes that there is no other God,
nor any other deitie then one ; and that all other things
of themselves have no power, being not workeing proper
to themselves, but what the great and onely God and Lord
doth give and impart vnto them. To conclude, it is neces-
sarie to perswade them by all meanes in reproving their
errors, as well in that wherein they generally fail in wor-
shipping more then one God, as in particular (which is
much more), to hold for Gods, and to demand favour and
helpe of those things which are not Gods, nor have any
power, but what the true God their Lord and Creator hath
given them.
Chap. iv. — Of the first Jdnde of Idolatries vjpon naturall and
iiniversall things.
Next to Viracocha, or their supreme God, that which
most commonly they have and do adore amongst the Infi-
dells is the Sunne ) and, after, those things which are most
remarkable in the celestiall or elementarie nature, as the
304 PERUVIAN DEITIES.
Lib. V. moonc, starres, sea^ and land. The Huacas^ or Oratories,
which the Yncas Lords of Peru had in greatest reverence
next to Viracocha and the sunne, was the thunder, which
they called by three divers names, Chuquilla, Catuilla, and
Intiillapa/ supposing it to bee a man in heaven, with a sling
and a mace, and that it is in his power to cause raine, haile,
thunder, and all the rest that appertaines to the region of
the aire, where the cloudes engender. It was a Huaca
(for so they called the Oratories) generall to all the
Indians of Peru, offering vnto him many sacrifices ; and in
Cuzco, which is the Court and Metropolitane Cittie, they
did sacrifice children vnto him, as to the Sunne. They did
worship these three, Viracocha, the Sunne, and Thunder,
after another manor than all the rest, as Polo^ writes, who
had made triall thereof, they did put as it were a gauntlet
or glove vpon their hands when they did lift them vp to
worshippe them. They did worshippe the earth, which
they called Pachamama, as the Ancients did the goddesse
Tellus ; and the sea likewise, which they call Mamacocha,
as the Ancients worshipped Thetis or Neptune. More-
over, they did worship the rainebow, which were the armes
and blazons of the Ynca, with two snakes stretched out
on either side. Amongst the starres they all did com-
monly worship that which they called Colca, and we heere
the little goats.^ They did attribute divers offices to divers
starres, and those which had neede of their favour did
worship them, as the shepheard did sacrifice to a star
which they called vrcuchillay, which they holde to be a
sheepe of divers colours, having the care to preserve their
cattell. It is understood to be that which the Astronomers
call Lyra. These shepheards worshippe two other starres,
which walke neere vnto them, they call them Catuchillay
Yllapa is thunder in Quichua. Chuqid-ylla was the name of the
God of Thunder. Ynti-yllapa^ the Sun's thunder.
2 Polo dc Ondegardo. ^ The Plaiades.
MEXICAN DEITIES. 305
and vrcuchillay j and thej faine them to be an ewe and a
lambe. Others worshipped a starre which they called
Machachuay^ to which they attribute the charge and power
over serpents and snakes, to keepe them from hurting
of them. They ascribe power to another starre, which
they called Chuquinchincay (which is as much as jaguar),
over tigres, beares, and lyons, and they have generally be-
leeved, that of all the beasts of the earth, there is one alone
in heaven like vnto them, the which hath care of their pro-
creation and increase. And so they did observe and wor-
ship divers starres, as those which they called Chacana,
Topatorca, Mamana, Mirco, Miquiquiray, and many others.
So, as it seemed, they approached somewhat neere the pro-
positions of Platoes Ideas. The Mexicaines almost in the
same manor, after the supreame Grod, worshiped the Sunne.
And therefore they called Hernando Cortez, as he hath
written in a letter sent vnto the Emperour Charles the fift,
Sonne of the Sunne, for his care and courage to compasse
the earth. But they made their greatest adoration to an
Idol called Yitzilipuztli, the which in all this region they
called the most puissant, and Lord of all things ; for this
cause the Mexicaines built him a Temple, the greatest, the
fairest, the highest, and the most sumptuous of all other.
The scituation and beautie thereof may wel be coniectured
by the mines which yet remaine in the midst of the Cittie
of Mexico. But heere the Mexicaines Idolatrie hath bin
more pernicious and hurtfull then that of the Yncas, as wee
shall see plainer heereafter, for that the greatest part of
their adoration and idolatrie was employed to Idols, and not
to naturall things, although they did attribute naturall
effects to these Idolls, as raine, multiplication of cattell,
warre, and generation, even as the Greeks and Latins have
forged Idolls of Phoebus, Mercuric, lupiter, Minerva, and of
Mars. To conclude, whoso shall neerely looke into it, shall
finde this manner which the Divell hath vsed to deceive the
X
Lib. v.
306 THE SIN OF IDOLATRY.
Lib. t. Indians^, to be the same wherewith hee hath deceived the
Greekes and Romans, and other ancient Gentiles, giving
them to vnderstand that these notable creatures, the Sunne
Moone, Starres, and Elements_, had power and authoritie to
doe good or harme to men. And although God hath created
all these things for the vse of man, yet hath man so much
forgotte himselfe as to rise vp against him. Moreover^ he
hath imbased himselfe to creatures that are inferiour vnto
himselfe^ worshiping and calling vpon their workes, for-
saking his Creator. As the Wise man saieth well in these
Sap. xiii. wordos^ *^A11 men are vaine and abused that have not the
knowledge of God, seeing they could not know him, that is,
by the things that seemed good vnto them : and although
they have beheld his workes, yet have they not attained to
know the author and maker thereof, but they have beleeved
that the fire, winde, swift aire, the course of the starres,
great rivers, with Sunne and Moone, were Gods and
governours of the world; and being in love with the beautie
of these things, they thought they should esteeme them as
Gods.^^ It is reason they should consider how much more
faire the Creator is, seeing that he is the Author of beauties
and makes all things. Moreover, if they admire the power
and effects of these things, thereby they may vnderstand
how much more mightie hee is that gave them their being,
for by the beautie and greatnes of the creatures, they may
iudge what the Maker is. Hitherto are the wordes of the
Booke of Wisdome, from whence we may draw a good and
strong argument, to overthrow the Idolatrie of Infidells,
who seeke rather to serve the creature then the Creator, as
Rom. i. ^^^ Apostle doth iustly reprehend them. But for as much
as this is not of our present subiect, and that it hath been
sufficiently treated of in the Sermons written against the
errors of the Indians, it shall bee sufficient now to shew
that they did worship the great God, and their vaine and
lying gods all of one fashion ; for their manor to pray to
IDOLATRY OF THE INDIANS. 307
Yiracoclia, to the Sunne, the Starres, and the rest of their ^"
Idolls, was to open their hands, and to make a certaine
sound with their mouthes, hke people that kissed, and to
aske that which every one desired in offering his sacrifices,
yet was there great difference betwixt the words they vsed
in speaking to the great Ticciviracocha/ to whom they did
attribute the cheefe power and commandement over all
things, and those they vsed to others, the which every one
did worship privately in his house, as Gods or particular
Lords, saying that they were their intercessors to this great
Ticciviracocha. This maner of worship, opening the hands,
and as it were kissing, hath something like to that which
lob had in horror, as fit for Idolaters, saying, ^' If I have lob xxxii.
kissed my hands with my mouth, beholding the Sunne
when it shines, or the Moone when it is light, the which is
a great iniquitie, and to deny the most great God/^
Chap. v. — Oftlie Idolatry the Indians vsed to ][> articular
things.
The Divell hath not bene contented to make these blinde
Indians to worshippe the Sunne, Moone, Starres, Earth
and Sea, and many other generall things in nature, but hee
hath passed on further, giving them for God, and making
them subiect to base and abiect things, and for the most
part, filthy and infamous. No man needes to woonder at
this barbarous blindnes, if hee remember what the Apostle '^^^- ^^
speaketh of Wise men and Philosophers. That having
knowne God, they did not glorifie him, nor give him thankes
as to their God, but they were lost in their own imagina-
tions and conceipts, and their hearts were hardened in their
follies, and they have changed the glory and deity of the
1 " Aticsi-Uiracocha", according to Molina. From "Atic", a con-
queror.
X 2
Lib. t.
308 IDOLS OP THE PERUVIANS.
eternall God into shews and figures of vaine and corruptible
things, as men_, birds, beasts, and serpents ; we know well
that the Egyptians did worship the Dogge of Osiris, the
Cow of Isis, and the Sheepe of Amnion ; the Romans did
worship the goddesse Februa, of Feavers, and the Tarpeien
Goose ; and Athenes the wise woman, the Cocke, and the
Raven, and such other like vanities and mockeries, whereof
the auntient Histories of the Gentiles are full. Men fell
into this great misery, for that they would not subiect
themselves to the Lawe of the true God and Creator, as
Saint Athanasius dooth learnedly handle, writing against
Idolatry. But it is wonderfull strange to see the excesse
which hath beene at the Indies, especially in Peru ; for they
worshipped rivers, fountaines, the mouthes of rivers,
entries of mountaines, rockes or great stones, hilles and the
tops of mountains, which they call Apachitas, and they
hold them for matters of great devotion. To conclude,
they did worship all things in nature which seemed to
them remarkable and difierent from the rest, as acknow-
ledging some particular deitie.
They shewed me in Caxamalca of Nasca a little hill or
great mount of sand, which was the chiefe Idoll or Huaca of
the Antients. I demaunded of them what divinitie they
found in it ? They answered, that they did worship it for
the woonder, being a very high mount of sand, in the midst
of very thicke mountains of stone. Wee had neede in the
cittie of Kings of great store of great wood for the
melting of a Bell, and therefore they cut downe a great
deformed tree, which for the greatnesse and antiquitie
thereof had beene a long time the Oratorio and Huaca of
the Indians. And they beleeved there was a certaine
Divinity in any thing that was extraordinary and strange in
his kinde, attributing the like vnto small stones and
mettalls ; yea, vnto rootes and fruites of the earth, as the
rootes they call Papas. There is a strange kinde which they
PERUVIAN SUPERSTITIONS. 309
call LlallahuaSj which they kissed and worshipped. They ^^^- ^'
did likewise worshippe Beares, Lions, Ty^res, and Snakes,
to the end they should not hurt them ; and such as their
gods bee, such are the things they offer vnto them in their
worshippe. They have vsed as they goe by the way, to
cast, in the crosse wayes, on the hilles, and toppes of
mountaines, which they call Apachitas/ olde shooes,
feathers, and coca chewed, being an hearb they vse much.
And when they have nothing left, they cast a stone as an
offring, that they might passe freely, and have greater
force, the which they say increaseth by this meanes, as it is
reported in a provinciall Council of Peru. And therefore ??^°^^- . ..
^ ^ Limensi., ii,
they finde in the hie wayes great heapes of stones offered, p- ^' ^^p- ^^•
and such other things. The like follie did the Antients vse,
of whome it is spoke in the Proverbs. ^' Like vnto him that Prou. xxvi.
offereth stones vnto the hill of Mercuric, such a one is hee
that honoureth fooles,"^ meaning that a man shall reape no
more fruit nor profit of the second than the fi.rst, for that
their God Mercury, made of stone, dooth not acknow-
ledge any offering, neyther doth a foole any honour that is
doone him. They vsed another offring no lesse absurd,
pulling the haire from the eyebrowes to offer it to the
Sunne, hills, Apachitas, to the winds, or to any other thing
they feare. Such is the miseries that many Indians have
lived in, and do to this day, whom the divell doth abuse,
like very babes, with any foolish illusion whatsoever. So
dooth Saint Chrysostome in one of his Homilies compare
them, but the servants of God, which labour to draw them
to salvation, ought not contemne these follies and child-
ishnesse, being sufficient to plunge these poore abused
creatures into eternall perdition; but they ought with good
and cleere reasons to draw them from so great ignorance.
' Correctly " Apachecta". See G. de la Vega^ i, p. 117-
2 " As he that biudeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour
to a fool." — Proverbs xxvi, v. 8.
Lib. v.
310 ARGUMENT AGAINST THE SUN BEING GOD.
For in trueth it is a matter woortliy of consideration^ to see
how they subiect themselves to such as instruct them in the
true way of life. There is nothing among all the creatures
more beautifull than the Sunne. which all the Gentiles did
commonly worship. A discreete captaine and good chris-
tian told me that he had with a good reason perswaded the
Indians that the Sunne was no god. He required the
Cacique or chiefe Lord to give him an Indian that were
light, to carry him a letter ; which doone_, he saide to the
Cacique, Tell me who is Lord and chiefe, either this Indian
that carries the letter, or thou that dost send him ? The
Cacique answered, without doubt I am, for he dooth but
what I commaund him. Even so replied the Captaine, is it
of the Sunne we see, and the Creator of all things. For
that the Sunne is but a servant to the most high Lorde,
which, by his commaundement, runnes swiftly, giving light
to all nations. Thus thou seest it is against reason to yeeld
that honour to the Sunne w^hich is due to the Creator and
Lord of all. The Captaine's reason pleased them all ; and
the Cacique with his Indians sayde it was trueth, and they
were much pleased to vnderstand it.
They report of one of the Kings Yncas, a man of a
subtill spirite, who, seeing that all his predecessors had
worshipped the Sunne, said that hee did not take the Sunne
to be God, neither could it be, for that God was a great
Lord, who with great quiet and leasure performeth his
workes, and that the Sunne doth never cease his course,
saying that the thing which laboured so much could not
seeme to be God.-^ Wherein hee spake truth. Even so,
when they shew the Indians their blind errors by lively and
plaine reasons, they are presently perswaded and yeelde
admirably to the trueth.
^ This was Huayna Ccapac. See G. de la Vega^ ii, p. 446.
QUOTATION FEOM THE WISDOM OF SOLOMON. 311
Chap. vi. — Of another Idnde of idolatry vpon the dead.
There is an other kinde of idolatry^ very different from ^^^- ^•
the rest, which the Gentiles have vsed for the deads sake
whom they loved and esteemed ; and it seemeth that the
Wise man would give vs to vnderstand, that the beginning
of idolatry proceeded thence, saying thus : ^' The seeking of J^^^o '21^^'
Idolles was the beginning of fornication, and the bringing
vp of them is the destruction of life. For they were not from
the beginning, neither shall they continue for ever, but the
vanitie and idlenesse of men hath found out this invention,
therefore shall they shortly come to an end ; for when a
father mourned heavily for the death of his miserable sonne,
he made for his consolation an Image of the dead man, and
beganne to worshippe him as a god, who a little before had
ended his daies like a mortall man^ commanding his servants
to make ceremonies and sacrifices in remembrance of him.
Thus in processe of time this vngratious custome waxing
strong was held for a lawe, and Images were worshipped
by the commaundement of Kings and Tirantes. Then they
beganne to doe the like to them that were absent, and such
as they could not honour in presence, being farre off, they
did worship in this sort, causing the Images of Kings to be
brought whom they would worship, supplying, by this
invention, their absence whom they desired to flatter. The
curiositie of excellent workmen increased this Idolatrie, for
these Images were made so excellent by their Art, that the
ignorant were provoked to worshippe them, so as by the
perfection of their Arte, pretending to content them that
gave them to make, they drew Pictures and Images farre
more excellent ; and the common people, ledde with the
shew and grace of the worke, did holde and esteeme him
for a God, whome before they had honoured as a man. And
this was the miserable errour of men, who sometimes
312 WORSHIP OF ANCESTORS,
Li«. V. yeeldiog to tlieir affection and serice, sometimes to the
flatterie of their Kings, did attribute vnto stones the incom-
municable name of God, worshipping them for Gods/^
All this is in the booke of Wisdome, woorthy to be noted;
and such as are curious in the search of Antiquities shall
finde that the beginning of idolatry were these Images of
the dead. I say idolatry, which is properly the worship of
Idolles and Images; for that it is not certaine that this
other idolatry, to worship the creatures, as the Sunne and
and the hostes of heaven, or the number of Planets and
ler. xix. Starres, whereof mention is made in the Prophets, hath
beene after the idolatry of Images, although without doubt
Sophon. i. they have made idols in honour of the Sunne, the Moone,
and the Earth. Peturning to our Indians ; thej came to the
height of Idolatry by the same meanes the Scripture
maketh mention of: first they had a care to keepe the
bodies of their Kings and Noblemen whole, from any ill
scent or corruption above two hundred yeares. In this
sorte were their Kings Yncas in Cusco^ every one in his
Chappell and Oratorio, so as the Marquis of Canete being
Viceroy, to root out Idolatry, caused three or foure of their
gods to be drawne out and carried to the city of Kings,
which bredde a great admiration, to see these bodies (dead
so many yeares before) remaine so faire and also whole.-*-
Every one of these Kings Yncas left all his treasure and
revenues to entertaine the place of worshippe where his
body was layed, and there were many Ministers with all his
familie dedicated to his service ; for no King successor did
vsurpe the treasures and plate of his predecessor, but he
did gather all new for himselfe, and his pallace. They
were not content with this Idolatry to dead bodies, but also
they made their figures and representations ; and every
King in his life time caused a figure to be made wherein he
was represented, w^hich they called Huauque, which signifieth
1 See G. de la Vega^ ii, p. 91.
CUSTOMS RESPECTING THE DEAD. 313
brotlier^ for that they should doe to this Image, during his
life and death_, as much honor and reverence as to himself.
They carryed this Image to the warres, and in procession for
rain or fayre weather, making sundry feastes and sacrifices
vnto them. There have beene many of these Idolles in Cusco,
and in that territorie, but nowe they say that this supersti-
tion of worshipping of stones hath altogether ceased, or for
the most part, after they had beene discovered by the
diligence of the Licentiate Polo, and the first was that of
the Ynca Rocca, chief of the faction or race of Hanan
Cusco. And we find that among other Nations they had in
great estimation and reverence the bodies of their prede-
cessors, and did likewise worship their Images.
Lib. v.
Chap. vii. — Of Swperstitions they vsed to the Dead.
The Indians of Peru beleeved commonly that the Soules
lived after this life, and that the good were in glorie and
the bad in paine ; so as there is little difficultie to perswade
them to these articles. But they are not yet come to the
knowledge of that point, that the bodies should rise with
the soules. And therefore they did vse a wonderfull care,
as it is saide, to preserve the bodies which they honoured
after death j to this end their successors gave them gar-
ments, and made sacrifices vnto them, especially the Kings
Yncas, being accompanied at their funeralls with a great
number of servants and women for his service in the other
life ; and therefore on the day of his decease they did put
to death the woman he had loved best, his servants and
oflficers, that they might serve him in the other life.
Whenas Huayna Ccapac died (who was father to Atahu-
alpa, at what time the Spaniards entred), they put to death
aboue a thousand persons of all ages and conditions, for his
service, to accompany him in the other life ; after many
314 CUSTOMS EESPECTING THE DEAD.
Lib. v. songs and drunkennes they slew them ; and these that
were appointed to death, held themselves happy. They did
sacrifice many things vnto them, especially yong children,
and with the bloud they made a stroake on the dead mans
face, from one eare to the other. This superstition and
inhumanitie, to kill both men and women, to accompanie
and serve the dead in the other life, hath beene followed by
others, and is at this day vsed amongst some other barbarous
Nations. And as Polo writes, it hath beene in a maner
generall throughout all the Indies. The venerable Bede
reportes, that before the Englishmen were converted to the
Gospel they had the same custome, to kill men to accom-
pany and serve the dead. It is written of a Portugall, who,
being captive among the Barbarians, had beene hurt with
a dart, so as he lost one eye, and as they would have
sacrificed him to accompany a Nobleman that was dead, hee
said vnto them that those that were in the other life would
make small account of the dead if they gave him a blind
man for a compauion, and that it were better to give him an
attendant that had both his eyes. This reason being found
good by the Barbarians they let him go. Besides this super-
stition of sacrificing men to the dead, beeing used but to
great Personages, there is another far more general and
common in all the Indies, which is to set meate and drinke
vpon the grave of the dead, imagining they did feede thereon :
the which hath likewise beene an error amongst the Ancients,
as saint Augastine writes, and therefore they gave them
meate and drinke. At this day many Indian Infidells doe
secretly draw their dead out of the churchyard and burie
them on hilles, or vpon passages of mountains, or else in
their owne houses. They have also vsed to put gold and
silver in their mouth, hands, and bosome, and to apparell
them with new garments, durable and well lined, vnder
the herse.
They beleeve that the soules of the dead wandred vp and
MEXICAN CUSTOMS. 315
downe and indure colde, tliirst_, liunger_, and travell, and for ^^^- ■^•
this cause they make their anniversaries, carrying them
clothes, meatO; and drinke. So as the Prelates, in their
Synodes, above all things, give charge to their Priests to let
the Indians vnderstand, that the offerings that are set vpon
the sepulchre is not to feede the dead but for the poor and
ministers, and that God alone dooth feede the soules in the
other life, seeing they neither eate nor drinke any corporall
thing, being very needefull they should vnderstand it, lest
they should convert this religious vse into a superstition of
the gentiles as many doe.
Chap. viii. — Of the ^manner of burying the dead among
the Mexicaine and sundrie other Nations,
Having reported what many nations of Peru have done
with their dead, it shall not be from the purpose to make
particular mention of the Mexicaines in this poynt, whose
mortuaries were much solemnified and full of notable follies.
It was the office of the priests and religious of Mexico (who
lived there with a strange observance, as shall be said here-
after) to interre the dead and doe their obsequies. The
places where they buried them was in their gardens, and in
the courts of their owne houses ; others carried them to the
places of sacrifices which were doone in the mountaines ;
others burnt them, and after buryed the ashes in theyr
Temples, and they buryed them all with whatsoever they
had of apparel, stones, and Jewells. They did put the ashes
of such as were burnt into pots, and with them the Jewells,
stones, and earerings of the dead, how rich and pretious
soever. They did sing the funerall offices like to answeres,
and did often lift vp the dead bodies, dooing many cere-
monies. At these mortuaries they did eate and drinke, and
if it were a person of qualitie they gave apparrell to all such
Lib. v.
316 MEXICAN CUSTOMS.
as came to the interrement. When any one dyed they layd
him open in a chamber, vntill that all his kinsfolkes and
friendes were come, who brought presents vnto the dead,
and saluted him as if he were living. And if he were a King
or a Lord of some towne, they offered him slaves to be put
to death with him, to the end they might serve him in the
other world. They likewise put to death his priest or chap-
laine (for every Noble man had a priest which administred
these ceremonies within his house), and then they killed him
that hee might execute his office with the dead. They like-
wise killed his cooke, his butler, his dwarfes and deformed
men, by whom he was most served ; neyther did they spare
the very brothers of the dead, who had most served them :
for it was a greatnesse amongest the Noble men to be served
by theyr brethren and the rest. Finally they put to death
all of his traine for the entertaining of his house in the other
world ; and lest poverty should oppresse them they buried
with them much wealth, as golde, silver, stones, curtins of
exquisite worke, bracelets of gold, and other rich peeces.
And if they burned the dead, they vsed the like with all his
servants and ornaments they gave him for the other world.
Then tooke they all the ashes they buryed with very great
solemnity. The obsequies continued tenne dayes, with songs
of plaints, and lamentations, and the priests carried away
the dead with so many ceremonies, and in so great number
as they coulde scarce accoumpt them. To the Captaines and
Noblemen they gave trophees and marks of honour accord-
ing to their enterprises and valor imployed in the warres
and governements ; for this effect they had armes and par-
ticular blasons. They carried these markes or blasons to
the place where he desired to be buried or burnt, marching
before the body, and accompanying it, as it were, in pro-
cession, where the priests and officers of the Temple went
with diverse furnitures and ornaments, some casting
incense, others singing, and some sounding of mournefuU
WORSHIP OF IMAGES AND IDOLS. 317
flutes and drummes, whicli did mucli increase the sorrow of
his kinsfolkes and subjects. The priest who did the office
was decked with the markes of the idoll which the noble
man had represented, for all noble men did represent idolles,
and carried the name of some one, and for this occasion they
were esteemed and honoured. The order of knighthoode
did commonly carry these forsaide markes. He that should
be burnt, being brought to the place appoynted, they invi-
roned him with wood of pine trees and all his baggage, then
set they fire vnto it, increasing it still with goomie wood,
vntil] that all were converted into ashes, then came there
foorth a Priest attired like a Divell, having mouthes vpon
every ioynt of him, and many eyes of glasse, holding a great
staffe with the which hee did mingle all the ashes very
boldly and with so terrible a gesture, as he terrified all the
assistants. Sometimes the minister had other difi'erent
habites according to the qualitie of the dead. I have
made this digression of obsequies and funeralls vpon the
idolatry and superstition they had to the dead. It is reason
to returne now to our chiefe subject and to finish this
matter.
Lib. y.
Chap. ix. — The fourth and last Jcinde of Idolatry the Indians
vsed, especially the Mexicaines, to Images and Idolls.
Although in trueth God is greatly ofiended with these
above named Idolatries, where they woorship the creatures;
yet the holy Ghost doth much more reproove and condemne
another kind of idolatry, and that is of those that worship
Images and figures made by the hand of men, which have
nothing else in them but to be of wood, stone, or mettall,
and of such forme as God hath given them. And therefore
the Wiseman speaketh thus of such people, ^' They are
miserable, whose hopes may be counted among the dead.
318 IDOLS or MEXICO.
^^°- ^- that have called the workes of mens handes gods^ as golde,
silver, and the invention of the likenes of beastes, or a
fruitlesse stone, which hatli nothing more in it than antiqui-
ties^ And hee dooth divinely follow this proposition against
this errour and follie of the Gentiles ; as also the Prophets
isa. xiiv. Isaiah, Jeremiah, Baruc, and King David, doe treate thereof
pJaJ^^ckm ^^''PV- -^^ ^^ convenient and necessary that the ministers
of Christ which doe reproove the errors of idolatry, should
have a good sight, and consider well these reasons which,
the holy-Ghost doth so lively set downe, being all reduced
Hosea viii. into a short sentence by the Prophet Hosea, '^ He that hath
made them was a workeman, and therefore can they be no
gods, therefore the Calfe of Samaria shalbe like the Spiders
webbe/' Returning to our purpose, there hath beene
great curiositie at the Indies in making of idoUes and
pictures of diverse formes and matters, which they wor-
shipped for gods, and in Peru they called them Huacas,
being commonly of fowle and deformed beasts ; at the least,
such as I have scene, were so. I beleeve verily that the
Divel, in whose honour they made these idolles, was pleased
to cause himselfe to be worshipped in these deformities, and
in trueth it was found so, that the Divell spake and answered
in many of these Huacas or idolls, and his priests and
ministers came to those Oracles of the father of lies, and
such as he is, sucli were his counsells and prophesies. In the
provinces of New Spaine, Mexico, Tescuco, Tlascalla, Cholula,
and in the neighbour countries to this realme, this kinde of
idolatry hath beene more practised than in any other realme
of the world. And it is a prodigious thing to heare the
superstitions rehersed that they have vsed in that poynt, of
the which it shall not be vnpleasant to speake something.
The chiefest idoll of Mexico was, as I have sayde, Yitzilipuztli.
It was an image of wood, like to a man, set vpon a stoole
of the colour of azure, in a brankard or litter ; at every
corner was a piece of wood in forme of a Serpant^s head.
IDOLS OF MEXICO. 319
The Steele signified that he was set in heaven : this idoll ^^°; ^;
hadde all the forehead azure^ and had a band of azure vnder
the nose from one eare to another : vpen his head he had
a rich plume of feathers, like to the beake of a small bird,
the which was covered on the toppe with gold burnished
very browne •* hee had in his left hand a white target^ with
the figures of five pine apples made of white feathers, set in
a crosse : and from above issued forth a crest of gold, and
at his sides hee hadde foure dartes, which (the Mexicaines
say) had beene sent from heaven to do those actes and pro-
wesses which shall be spoken of. In his right hand he had
an azured stafi"e, cutte in fashion of a waving snake. All
these ornaments, with the rest, had their meaning, as the
Mexicaines doe shew : the name of Vitziliputzli signifies
the left hand of a shining feather.^
I will speake heereafter of the prowde Temple, the sacri-
fices, feasts, and ceremonies of this great idoll, being very
notable things. But at this present we will only shew that
this idoll, thus richly appareled and deckt, was set vpen an
high Altare in a small peece or boxe, well covered with
linnen clothes, iewells, feathers, and ornaments of golde,
with many rundles of feathers, the fairest and most exqui-
site that could be found : hee had alwaies a curtine before
him for the greater veneration. loyning to the chamber or
chappell of this idoll, there was a peece of lesse worke, and
not so well beautified, where there was another idoll they
called Tlaloc. These two idolls were alwaies together, for that
they held them as companions, and of equall power. There
was another idoll in Mexico, much esteemed, which was the
god of repentance, and of jubilies and pardons for their
sinnes. They called this idoll Tezcatlipuca ; he was made
of a blacke shining stone like to layel,^ being attired with
some ornamental devises after their manner ; it had earerings
of golde and silver, and through the nether lippe a small
' " Siniestra de pluma relumbrante." 2 "Azauache.'"
320 MEXICAN IDOLS.
■^^^- ^- tube of cristall, in length halfe a foote : in tlie which they
sometimes put a greene feather, and sometimes an azured,
which made it resemble sometimes an emerald, and some-
times a turquois : it had the haire broided and bound vp
with a haire-lace of golde burnished, at the end whereof did
hang an eare of golde, with two firebrands of smoake painted
therein, which did signifie the prayers of the afilicted and
sinners that he heard, when they recommended themselves
vnto him. Betwixt the two eares hanged a number of
small herons. He had a iewell hanging at his necke, so
great that it covered all his stomacke : vpon his armes
bracelets of golde ; at his navill a rich greene stone ; and in
his left hand a fanne of pretious feathers, of greene, azure,
and yellow, which came forth of a looking glasse of golde,
shining and well burnished, and that signified, that within
this looking glasse hee sawe whatsoever was doone in
the world. They called this mirror or plate of golde Itlac-
heayaj which signifies his glasse for to looke in. In his
right hand he held foure dartes, which signified the chas-
tisement hee gave vnto the wicked for their sinnes. And
therefore they feared this idoll most, lest he should discover
their faults and offences. At his feast they had pardon of
their sinnes, which was made every foure years, as shalbe
declared heereafter. They held this idoll Tezcatlipuca for
the god of drought, of famine, barrennesse, and pestilence :
And therefore they paynted him in another forme, being set
in great maiesty vppon a stoole compassed in with a red
curtiuj painted and wrought with the heads and bones of
dead men. In the left hand it had a target with five
pines, like vnto pine apples of cotton : and in the right a
little dart, with a threatening countenaunce, and the arme
stretcht out, as if he would cast it ; and from the target
came foure dartes. It had the countenance of an angry
man, and in choler, the body all painted blacke, and the
head full of Quales feathers. They vsed great superstition to
GODS OF THE MEXICANS. 321
this idoll, for the feare they had of it. In Cholula^ which is
a commonwealth of Mexico_, they worshipt a famous idoll,
which was the god of marchandise, being to this day greatly
given to trafficke. They called it Quetzaalcoatl.
This idoll was in a great place in a temple very high : it
had about it golde, silver _, Jewells, very rich feathers_, and
habites of divers colours. It had the forme of a man, but
the visage of a little bird with a red bill^ and above a combe
full of wartes, having rankes of teeth^ and the tongue hang-
ing out. It carried vpon the head a pointed myter of
painted paper, a sithe in the hand, and many toyes of golde
on the legges ; with a thousand other foolish inventions,
whereof all had theii^ significations ; and they worshiped it,
for that he enriched whome hee pleased, as Memnon and
Plutus. In trueth this name which the Cholulanos gave to
their God was very fitte, although they vnderstoode it not:
they called it Quetzaalcoatl, signifying colour of a rich feather,
for such is the divell of covetousnesse. These barbarous
people contented not themselves to have gods onely, but
they had goddesses also, as the Fables of Poets have brought
in, and the blind gentility of the Greekes and Romans
worshipt them. The chiefe goddesse they worshipt was
called Tozi, which is to say our grandmother, who, as the
Histories of Mexico report, was daughter to the king of
Culbuacan, who was the first they fleaed by the commaunde-
ment of Yitzliputzli, whom they sacrificed in this sort, being
his sister, and then they beganne to flea men in their sacri-
fices, and to clothe the living with the skinnes of the
sacrificed, having learned that their gods were pleased there-
with, as also to pull the hearts out of them they sacrificed,
which they learned of their god, who pulled out the hearts
of such as he punished in Tulla, as shall be sayd in his place.
One of these goddesses they worshipt had a sonne, who was a
great hunter, whome they of Tlascalla afterwardes tooke for
a god, and those were ennemies to the Mexicaines, by whose
Y
Lib. r.
Lib. v.
322 GODS OF THE MEXICANS.
ayde the Spaniardes woiine Mexico. The province of
Tlascalla is very fit for hunting, and the people are much
given therevnto. They therfore made a great feast vnto
this idoll, whom they painted of such a forme as it is not
now needefull to loose any .time in the description thereof.
The feast they made was pleasant^ and in this sort : They
sounded a Trumpet at the breake of day, at the sotmd
whereof they all assembled with their bowes, arrows, netts,
and other instruments for hunting : then they went in pro-
cession with theyr idol), being followed by a great number
of people to a high mountayne, vpon the toppe whereof
they had made a bower of leaves, and in the middest thereof
an Altare richly deckt, where- vpon they placed the idoll.
They marched vv^ith a great bruit of Trumpettes, Cornets,
Flutes, and Drummes, and being come vnto the place they
invironed this mountaine on all sides, putting fire to it on
all partes : by meanes whereof manie beasts flew foorth, as
stagges, Connies^ hares, foxes, and woolves, which went to
the toppe flying fromi the fire. These hunters followed after
with great cries and noyse of diverse instruments, hunting
them to the top before the idoll, whither fled such a num-
ber of beastes, in so great a prease, that they leaped one
vpon another, vpon the people, and vppon the Altare,
w^herein they tooke great delight. Then tooke they a great
number of these beasts, and sacrificed them before the idoll,
as stagges and other great beasts, pulling out their hearts,
as they vse in the sacrifice of men, and with the like cere-
mony : which done, they tooke all their prey vppon their
shoulders, and retired with their idoll in the same manner
as they came, and entered the citty laden with all these
things, very ioyfull, with great store of musicke, trumpets,
and drummes, vntill they came to the Temple, where they
placed their idoll with great reverence and solemnitie.
They presently went to prepare their venison, wherewith
they made a banquet to all the people ; and after dinner
HUMAN SACRIFICES. 323
they made their playes^ representations, and daunces before
tlie idoll. They had a great number of other idolles, of
gods and goddesses ; but the chiefe were of the Mexicaine
Nation^ and the neighbour people as is saide.
Lib. y.
Chap. x. — Of a strange manjier of Idolatry practised amongst
the Mexicaines.
As we have saide that the kings Yncas of Peru caused
Images to be made to their likenesse, which they called
their Guacos or brothers/ causing them for to be honored
like themselves : even so the Mexicains have done of their
gods, which was in this sorte. They tooke a captive, such
as they thought good ; and afore they did sacrifice him vnto
their idolls, they gave him the name of the idoll, to whorae
hee should be sacrificed, and apparelled him with the
same ornaments like their idoll, saying, that he did repre-
sent the same idoll. And during the time that this repre-
sentation lasted, which was for a yeere in some feasts, in
others sixe moneths, and in others lesse, they reverenced
and worshipped him in the same manor as the proper idoll ;
and in the meane time he did eate, drincke, and was merry.
When hee went through the streetes, the people came
forth to worship him, and every one brought him an almes,
with children and sicke folkes, that he might cure them,
and bless them, suffering him to doe all things at his plea-
sure, onely hee was accompanied with tenne or twelve men
lest he should flie. And he (to the end he might be rever-
enced as he passed) sometimes sounded vppon a small flute,
that the people might prepare to worship him. The feast
being come, and hee growne fatte, they killed him, opened
him, and eat him, making a solempne sacrifice of him.
In trueth, it was a pittifull thing to consider in what sort
Sathan held this people in his subiection, and doth many to
^ Hvaca was a sacred thing or place. Huauque is brother in Quichua.
y2
Lib. v.
324 CUNNING OF THE DEVIL.
this day, which commit the like cruelties and abominations,
with the losse of the miserable soules and bodies of such as
they offer to him, and he laughs and mockes at the foUie of
these poore miserable creatures^ who deserve well for their
offences, to be forsaken of the most high God, to the power
of their adversary, whom they have chosen for their god
and support. But seeing wee have spoken sufficient of the
Indians idolatrie ; it followes that we treate of their Religion,
or rather Superstition, which they vse in their sacrifices,
temples, ceremonies, and the rest.
Chap. xi. — How the Devlll hath lahoured to mahe himself
eqiiall vnto God, and to imitate him in Ids Sacrifices,
Religion J and Sacraments.
Before wee come to this point, we ought to consider one
tbing, which is worthie of speciall regard, the which is, how
the Divell, by his pride, hath opposed himself to God ; and
that which God, by his wisedome, hath decreed for his
honour and service, and for the good and health of man,
the Divell strives to imitate and to pervert, to bee honoured,
and to cause men to be damned : for as we see the great
God hath Sacrifices, Priests, Sacraments, Religious Prophets,
and Ministers, dedicated to his divine service and holy cere-
monies, so the Divell hath his sacrifices, priests, his kinds
of sacraments, his ministers appointed, his secluded and
fained holinesse, with a thousand sortes of false prophets.
All which will be pleasant to vnderstand, being declared in
particular, and of no small fruite for him that shall remem-
joiiiiv. ber, how the Divell is the father of lies, as the truth saieth
in the Gospel; and therefore hee seekes to vsurpe to him-
selfe the glorie of God, and to counterfeit the light by his
Exod. vii. darknes. The Sooth-saiers of Egipt, taught by their master
Sathan, laboured to do wonders, like vnto those of Moses
TEMPLE OP PACHACAMAC. 325
and AaroUj to be eqaall vnto them. We reade in the Booke ^^^- ^•
of ludgeSj of that Micas, Priest of the vaine Idoll, which
vsed the same ornaments which were vsed in the Tabernacle
of the true God, as the Ephod, the Seraphin, and other
things. There is scarce any thing instituted by lesus
Christ our Saviour in his Lawe of his Gospel, the which
the Divell hath not counterfeited in some sort, and carried
to his Gentiles, as may be scene in reading that which we
hold for certaine, by the report of men worthie of credite,
of the customes and ceremonies of the Indians, whereof we
will treate in this Booke.
Chap. xii. — Of the Templea that were found at the hidies.
Beginning then with their Temples, even as the great
God would have a house dedicated, where his holy name
might be honoured, and that it should be particularly vowed
to his service ; even so the Devil, by his wicked practises,
perswaded Infidells to build him prowd Temples, and par-
ticular Oratories and Sanctuaries. In every Province of
Peru, there was one principall Guaca,^ or house of adoration;
and besides it, there was one generall throughout all the
Kingdome of the Yncas ; amongst the which there hath
beene two famous and notable, the one which they called
Pachacamac, is foure leagues from Lima, whereat this day
they see the mines of a most ancient and great building,
out of the which Francisco Pizarro and his people drew in-
finite treasure, of vessell and pottes of gold and silver,
which they brought when they tooke the Ynca Atahualpa.
There are certaine memories and discourses which say,
that in this Temple the Divell did speake visibly, and
gave answers by his Oracle, and that sometimes they did
see a spotted snake j and it was a thing very common and
^ Huaca.
826 TEMPLE OF CUZCO.
^^^- ^- approved at the Indies, that the Devill spake and answered
in these false Sanctuaries, deceiving this miserable people.
But where the Gospel is entred, and the Crosse of Christ
planted, the father of lies is become mute, as Plutarch writes
piu lib. de of his time '^Cur cessaverit Pithias fondere oracuW^ and
tract.
apoVpro lustiue Martir treates amply of the silence which Christ
imposed to devills, which spake by Idolls, as it had been
before much prophecied of in the holy Scripture. The
manor which the Infidel Ministers and Enchanters had to
consult with their gods, was as the Devill had taught them.
It was commonly in the night they entred backward to their
idoll, and so went bending their bodies and head, after an
vglie manor, and so they consulted with him. The answer
he made, was commonly like vnto a fearefull hissing, or to
a gnashing which did terrific them ; and all that he did ad-
vertise or command them, was but the way to their perdi-
tion and mine. There are few of these Oracles found now,
through the mercy of God, and great powre of lesus
Christ. There hath beene in Peru another Temple and
Oratorio, most esteemed, which was in the Cittie of Cusco,
where at this day is the monasterie of Santo Domingo. We
may see it hath been a goodly and a stately worke by the
pavement and stones of the building, which remaine to this
day. This Temple was like to the Pantheon of the Romans,
for that it was the house and dwelling of all the gods ; for
the Kings Yncas did there behold the gods of all the
Nations and provinces they had conquered, every Idoll
having his private place, whither they of that Province
came to worship it with an excessive charge of things
which they brought for his service. And thereby they
supposed to keep safel}^ in obedience those Provinces which
they had conquered, holding their gods as it were in hostage.
In this same house was the Punchao,^ which was an Idoll of
the Sunne, of most fine gold, wrought with great riches of
1 Panchau, the day; hence the Sim.
TEMPLE or MEXICO. 327
stones,, tlie which was placed to the East, with so great Art,
as the sun at its rising did cast his beames thereon : and as
it was of most fine mettall^ his beames did reflect with such
a brightnes that it seemed another Sunne. The Yncas did
worship this for their God^ and the Pachayacha/ which
signifies the Creator of heaven. They say, that at the spoile
of this so rich a Temple, a souldier had for his part this
goodly plate of gold of the Sunne. And as play was then
in request he lost it all in one night at play, whence come
the proverb they have in Peru for great gamesters, saying
that they play the Sunne before it riseth.^
Lib. v.
Chap. xiii. — Of the Proivd Temples at Mexico,
The Superstitions of the Mexicaines have without com-
parison been greater than the rest, as well in their cere-
monies as in the greatnes of their Temples, the which in
old time the Spaniards called by this word Cu, which word
might bee taken from the Ilanders of Santo Domingo, or of
Cuba, as many other wordes that are in vse, the which are
neyther from Spaine nor from any other language now vsuall
among the Indians, as is Mays, Chico, Yaquiano, Chapeton,
and other like. There was in Mexico, this Cu, the famous
Temple of Yitziliputzli ; it had a very great circuite and
within a faire Court. It was built of great stones, in fashion
of snakes tied one to another, and the circuite was called
Coatepantli, which is a circuite of snakes ; vppon the toppe
of every chamber and oratorie where the Idolls were, was a
fine piller wrought with small stones, blacke as iette, set in
goodly order, the ground raised vp with white and red,
which below gave a great light ; vpon the top of the pillar
were battlements very artificially made, wrought like snails,
' Pacha-yachachic^ " The teacher of the universe".
2 Mancio Serra de Leguisamo. See G. de la Vega, i, p. 272, and note.
Liu. v.
328 TEMPLE OF MEXICO.
supported by two Indians of stone, sitting, holding candle-
sticks in their hands, the which were Hke Croisants gar-
nished and enriched at the ends with yellow and green
feathers and long fringes of the same. Within the circuite
of this court there were many chambers of religious men,
and others that were appointed for the service of the Priests
and Popes, for so they call the soveraigne Priests which
serve the Idoll. This Court is so great and spatious, as
eight or ten thousand persons did dance easily in round
holding hands, the which was an vsuall custome in that
Realme, although it seeme to many incredible.
There were foure gates or entries, at the East, West,
North, and South, at every one of these gates beganne a
faire cawsey of two or three leagues long. There was in
the midst of the Lake where the Cittie of Mexico is built
foure large cawseies in crosse, which did much beautifie it,
vpon every portall or entery was a God or Idoll, having the
visage turned to the causey right against the Temple gate
of Vitziliputzli. There were thirtie steppes of thirtie fadome
long, and they divided from the circuit of the court by a
streete that went betwixt them ; vpon the toppe of these
steppes there was a walke of thirtie foote broad, all
plaistered with chalke, in the midst of which walke was
a Pallisado artificially made of very high trees, planted in
order a fadome one from another. These trees were very
bigge, and all pierced with small holes from the foote to the
top, and there were roddes did runne from one tree to
another, to the which were chained or tied many dead mens
heads. Ypon every rod were twentie seniles, and these
ranckes of seniles continue from the foote to the toppe of
the tree. This Pallissado was full of dead mens sculls from
one end to the other, the which was a wonderful] mournefuU
sight and full of horror. These were the heads of such as
had beene sacrificed ; for after they were dead, and had
eaten the flesh, the head was delivered to the Ministers of
TEMPLES IN MEXICO. 329
the Temple, which tied them in this sort vntill they fell off ^_^
by morcells, and then had they a care to set others in their
places. Ypon the toppe of the Temple were two stones or
chappells^ and in them were the two Idolls which I have
spoken of, Yitziliputzli and his companion Tlalot. These
Chappells were carved and graven very artificially, and so
high that to ascend vp to it there was a staire of stone of
sixscore steppes. Before these Chambers or Chappells
there was a Court of fortie foote square, in the midst
whereof was a high stone of five hand breadth, poynted in
fashion of a Pyramide ; it was placed there for the sacri-
ficing of men, for being laid on their backes it made their
bodies to bend, and so they did open them and pull out
their hearts, as I shall show heereafter. There were in the
Cittie of Mexico eight or nine other Temples, the which
were ioyned one to another within one great circuite and
had their private staires, their courts, their chambers, and
their dortoires. The entries of some were to the East,
some to the West, others to the South, and some to the
North. All these Temples were curiously wrought, and
compassed in with divers sortes of battlements and pictures,
with many figures of stones, being accompanied and fortefied
with great and large spurres or platformes. They were
dedicated to divers gods ; but next to the Temple of Yitz-
iliputzli was that of Tescalipuca, which was the god of
penaunce and of punishments, very high and well built.
There were foure steps to ascend, on the toppe was a flat
or table of sixe score foote broad, and ioyning vnto it was a
hall hanged with tapistry and curtins of diverse colours and
works. The doore thereof being low and large was alwayes
covered with a vaile, and none but the priests might enter
in. All this Temple was beutified with diverse images and
pictures most curiously ; for that these two Temples were
as the cathedrall churches, and the rest in respect of them
as parishes and hermitages ; they were so spatious and had
Lib. v.
330 MEXICAN PllIESTS.
SO many chambers, tliat there were iu them places for the
luiiiisterie,, colleges, schooles, and houses for priests, whereof
wee will intreate heereafter. This may suffice to conceive
the devills pride and the misery of this wretched nation,
who with so great expence of their goods, their labour, and
their lives, did thus serve their capitall enimy, who pre-
tended nothing more than the destruction of their soules
and consumption of their bodies. But yet they were well
pleased, having an opinion in their so great an error that
they were great and mighty gods to whome they did these
services.
: Chap. xiv. — Of the Priestes and their offices.
We find among all the nations of the world, men specially
dedicated to the service of the true God, or to the false,
which serve in sacrifices, and declare vnto the people what
their gods command them. Ther was in Mexico a strange
curiositie vpon this point. And the devill counterfeiting
the vse of the Church of God, hath placed in the order of
his Priests, some greater or superiors, and some lesse, the
one as Acolites, the other as Levites, and that which hath
made me most to woonder, was, that the devil would vsurpe
to himselfe the service of God ; yea and vse the same name :
for the Mexicaines in their antient tongue called their hie
Priests Papes, as they should say soveraigne Bishops, as it
appeares now by their Histories. The Priests of Vitzliputzli
succeeded by linages of certaine quarters of the Citty, de-
puted for that purpose, and those of other idolls came by
election, or being offered to the temple in their infancy.
The dayly exercise of the Priestes was to cast incense on
the idoUes, which was doone foure times in the space of a
naturall day. The first at breake of day, the second at
noone, the third at Sunne setting, and the fourth at mid-
night. At midnight all the chiefe officers of the Temple did
MEXICAN PRIESTS. 331
rise, and in steade of bells^ they sounded a long time vpon
trumpets^ cornets and flutes very heavily ; which being
ended, he that did the office that weeke stept foorth attyred
in a white roabe after the Dalmatike manner, with a censor
in his hand full of coales, which he tooke from the harth
burning continually before the Altare ; in the other hand
he had a purse full of incense, which he cast into the censor,
and as he entred the place where the idoll was_, he incensed
it with great reverence, then tooke he a cloth, with the
which he wiped the Altar and the curtins. This doone, they
went all into a Chappell, and there did a certaine kinde of
rigorous and austere penaunce, beating themselves, and
drawing of blood, as I shall shew in the treatise of Penance
which the Divell hath taught to his creatures ; and heereof
they never fayled at these Mattins at Midnight. None other
but the Priestes might entermeddle with their sacrifices,
and every one did imploy himselfe according to his dignity
and degree. They did likewise preach to the people at some
feastes, as I will shew when we treate thereof. They had
revenues, and great offerings were made vnto them. I will
speake heereafter of their vnction in Consecrating their
Priestes. In Peru the Priestes were entertained of the
revenues and inheritance of their God, which they called
Chacaras, which were many and also verie rich.
Lib. v.
Chap. xv. — Of the monastery of Virgins which the divell hath
invented for his service.
As the religious life, (whereof many servants of God have
made profession in the holy Church, immitating lesus Christ
and his holy Apostles) is very pleasing in the sight of his
divine maiesty, by the which his holy Name is so honoured,
and his Church beutified : So the father of lies hath laboured
to imitate and counterfeit him heerein ; yea, as it were,
hath striven with God in the observance and austere life of
332 SELECTED VIRGINS IN PERU.
LiB.v. ]^jg niinisters. There were in Peru many monasteries of
Virgines (for there are no other admitted), at the least one
in everie Province. In these monasteries there were two
sortes of women, one antient, which they called Mamaco-
mas,-*^ for the instruction of the yoong ; and the other was of
yoong maidens, placed there for a certaine time^ and after
they were drawn foorth^ either for their gods or for the
Ynca. They called this house or monastery AcUaguagi,^
which is to say, the house of the chosen. Every monastery
had his Yicar or Governour called Appopanaca/ who had
liberty and power to choose whome he pleased, of what
qualitie soever^ being vnder eyght yeares of age, if they
seemed to be of a good stature and constitution.
These Yirgines thus shut vp into these monasteries were
instructed by the Mamacomas in diverse thinges needefull
for the life of man, and in the customes and ceremonies of
their gods ; and afterwards they tooke them from thence,
being above foureteene, sending them to the Court with sure-
gards, whereof some were appoynted to serve the Guacas
and Sanctuaries, keeping their virginities for ever : some
others were for the ordinary sacrifices that were made of
maidens, and other extraordinary sacrifices, they made for
the health, death, or warres of the Ynca : and the rest
served for wives and concubines to the Ynca, and vnto other
his kinsfolkes and captaines, vnto whome hee gave them,
which was a great and honourable recompence : This dis-
tribution was vsed every yeare. These monasteries pos-
sessed rents and revenues for the maintenaunce of these
Virgins, which were in great numbers. It was not lawfull
for any father to refuse his daughters when the Appopanaca
» Maina-cuna, " Mothers". Cuna is the plural particle.
3 Aclla, selected or chosen ; Huasl^ a house.
' Ajm, chief ; Panaca, from Pana, which means the sister of a brother,
Panaca is the archaic genitive. Apu-panaca is literally " the chief over
sisters of the brethren". The Apu-panaca vras the official who selected
the virgins, one over every llunu or 10,000 souls.
SACRED VIRGINS IN MEXICO. 333
required them for the service of these monasteries. Yea, _^^^'_
many fathers did willingly oflfer their daughters, supposing
it was a great merit to be sacrificed for the Ynca. If any of
these Momacomas or Acllas were found to have trespassed
against their honour, it was an inevitable chasticement to
bury them alive, or to put them to death by some other
kind of cruell torment.
The devill hath even in Mexico had some kind of religious
women, although their profession was but for one yeare,
and it was in this sorte : Within this great circuit whereof
we have spoken, which was in the principall temple, there
were two houses like cloysters, the one opposite to the
other, one of men, the other of women : In that of women,
they were virgines onely, of twelve or thirteene yeares of age,
which they called the Maydes of Penaunce. They were as
many as the men, and lived chastly and regularly, as virgins
dedicated to the service of their god. Their charge was, to
sweepe and make cleane the temple, and every morning to
prepare meate for the idoll and his ministers, of the almes the
religious gathered. The foode they prepared for the idoll were
small loaves in the forme of handes and feete, and others
twisted as marchpane ;^ and with this bread they prepared cer-
taine sawses, which they cast dayly before the idoll, and his
priests did eate it, as those of Baal, that Daniel speaketh of. Dan. xiv,
These virgins had their haire cutte, and then they let them
growe for a certaine time : they rose at midnight to the
idolls mattins, which they dayly celebrated, performing the
same exercises the religious did. They had their Abbesses,
who imployed them to make cloth of diverse fashions for the
ornament of their idolls and temples. Their ordinary habite
was all white, without any worke or colour. They did their
penance at midnight, sacrificing and wounding themselves,
and, piercing the toppe of their eares, they layde the blood
which issued foorth vpon their cheekes ; and after, to wash
^ Melcochas, honey cakes.
Lib. V,
334 SACRED VIRGINS.
off the blood, they bathed themselves in a pool, which was
within their monastery. They lived very honestly and dis-
creetly j and if any were found to have offended, although
but lightly, presently they were put to death without re-
mission, saying, shoe had polluted the house of their god.
They helde it for an augure and advertisement, that some
one of the religious, man or woman, had committed a fault
when they saw a Ratte or a Mowse passe, or a Bat in the
chappell of their idoll, or that they had gnawed any of the
vailes ; for that they say a Catte or a Bat would not adven-
ture to committe such an indignity, if some offence had not
gone before, and then they beganne to make search of the
fact, and having discovered the offender or offenders, of
what quality soever, they presently put them to death.
None were receyvediuto this monastery but the daughters
of one of the sixe quarters, named for that purpose : and
this profession continued, as I have sayd, the space of one
whole yeare: during the which time, their fathers, and they
themselves, had made a vowe to serve the idoll in this man-
ner, and from thence they went to be married. These virgins
of Mexico, and more especially they of Peru, had some re-
semblance to the Vestall Virgins of Rome, as the Histories
shew, to the end wee may vnderstand how the devill hath
desired to be served by them that observe Yirginitie, not
that chastitie is pleasing vnto him, for he is an vucleane
spirite, but for the desire he hath to take from the great
God, as much as in him lieth, this glory to be served with
cleannesse and integrity.
Chap. xvi. — Of fJie Monasteries of religions men that the
devill hath invented for superstition.
It is well knowne, by Letters written by the fathers of
our company from lappon, the number aud multitude of
religious men that are in those Provinces, whome they call
MONKS IN CHINA AND MEXICO. 835
Lib. v.
BonQos, and also their superstitions, customes, and lies,
Some fathers that have been in those countries report of
these Bon9os and religious men of China, saying, that there
are many Orders, and of diverse sortes, some came vnto
them clad in white, bearing hoodes, and others all in blacke,
without haire or hoode, and these are commonly little
esteemed, for the Mandarins or ministers of Justice whippe
them, as they do the rest of the people. They make pro-
fession not to eate any flesh, fish, nor any thing that hath
life, but onely Rice and hearbes ; but in secret they do eate
any thing, and are worse than the common people. They
say the religious men which are at the Court, which is at
Paquin,^ are very much esteemed. The Mandarins go com-
monly to recreate themselves at the Varelas" or monasteries
of these Menkes, and returne in a manner alwayes drunke.
These monasteries commonly are without the townes, and
have temples within their close : yet, in China they are not
greatly curious of idolles, or of temples, for the Mandarins
little esteeme idolls, and do hold it for a vaiue thing, and
worthy to be laughed at ; yea, they beleeve there is no
other life, nor Paradice, but to be in the office of the Man-
darins, nor any other hel than the prisons they have for
offendours. As for the common sorte, they say it is neces-
sarv to entertaine them with idolatrv, as the Philosopher ^^\^*^- pi'
•^ 'J ' r metaph.
himself teacheth his Governors : and in the Scripture it was
an excuse which Aaron gave for the idol of the Calfe, that Exodus
" xxxii.
he caused to be made ; yet the Chinois vsed to carry in the
poupe of their shippes, in little chapels, a virgin imbosst_,
set in a chaire with two Chinois before her kneeling in manor
of Angels, having a light burning there both day and night.
And when they are to sette saile they do many sacrifices
and ceremonies, with a great noyse of drummes and bells,
casting papers burnt at the poupe.
Comming to our religious men, I doe not knowe that in
1 Peking. 2 Viliaras.
Lib. v.
336 MEXICAN MONKS.
Peru there is any proper houses for men, but for the
Priests and Sorcerers, whereof there is an infinite number.
But it seeineth, that in Mexico the devil hath set a due ob-
servation ; for within the circuit of the great temple there
were two monasteries, as before hath bin sayd, one of Vir-
gins, whereof I have spoken, the other of yoong men se-
cluded, of eighteene or twenty yeares of age, which they
called religious. They vveare shaved crownes, as the Friars
in these partes, their haire a little longer which fell to the
middest of their eare, except the hinder part of the head,
which they let growe the breadth of foure fingers downe to
their shoulders, and which they tied vppe in tresses. These
young men that served in the temple of Yitzliputzli lived
poorely and chastely, and did the office of Levites, mini-
string to the priests and cliiefe of the temple their incense,
lights, and garments ; they swept and made cleane the holy
places, bringing wood for a continual fire to the harth of
their god, which was like a lampe that stille burnt before
the Altar of their idoll. Besides these yong men there
were other little boyes, as novices, that served for manuall
vses, as to deck the temple with boughs, roses, and reeds,
give the Priests water to wash with, give them their rasors
to sacrifice, and goe with such as begged almes to carry it.
All these had their superiors, who had the governement over
them; they lived so honestly, as when they came in publike
where there were any women, they carried their heads very
lowe, with their eyes to the ground, not daring to beholde
them ; they had linnen garments, and it was lawfull for them
to goe into the Citty foure or sixe together, to aske almes in
all quarters : and when they gave them none, it was lawful
to go into the corne fields and gather the eares of corne or
clusters of mays, which they most needed, the Maister not
daring to speake nor hinder them. They had this liberty
because they lived poorely, and had no other revenues but
almes. There might not be above fifty live in penance,
PENANCE. 337
rising at midnight to sound the cornets and trumpets to ^"- ^•
awake the people. Every one watched the idoll in his turne,
lest the fire before the Altar should die; they gave the
censor, with the which the Priest at midnight incensed the
idoll, and also in the morning, at noone, and at night.
They were very subject and obedient to their superiors, and
passed not any one poynt that was commaunded them.
And at midnight, after the priest had ended his censing,
they retired themselves into a secret place apart, sacrificing
and drawing blood from the calfes of their legges with
sharpe bodkins; with this blood they rubbed their temples
and vnder their eares ; and, this sacrifice finished, they pre-
sently washt themselves in a little poole appoynted to that
end. These yong men did not annoint their heads and
bodies with any behin} as the Priestes did ; their garments
were of a coarse white linnen cloth they do make there.
These exercises and strictnesse of penance continued a
whole yeare, during which time they lived with great auste-
ritie and solitarinesse. In truth it is very strange to see
that this false opinion of religion hath so great force among
these yoong men and maidens of Mexico that they will
serve the Divell with so great rigor and austerity, which
many of vs doe not in the service of the most high God, the
which is a great shame and confusion ; for those amongst
vs that glory to have doone a small penaunce, although this
exercise of the Mexicaines was not continuall, but for a
yeare onely, which made it the more tollerable.
Chap. xvii. — Of Penance and the Strictnes the Indians have
vsed at the DivelVs jpersioasion.
Seeing we are come to this point, it shall bee good both
to discover the cursed pride of Sathan and to confound it,
^ Pitch, a coarse wax.
z
338 PENANCE OF MEXICAN PRIESTS.
Lib. v. r^Yid somowliat to quicken our coldnes and slotli in tlie ser-
vice of the great God ; to speake sometliing of the rigor and
strange penance this miserable people vsed at the Divell's
persvvasion, like to the false Prophets of Baal^ who did beate
3 uccr. and wound themselves with lancets, drawing forth bloud ;
xviii. ^ ^
or, like those that sacrificed their sonnes and daughters
Paai. cv. vnto loathsome Belphegor/ passing them through the fire, as
Num. XXV.
4Reg. xxi. holy Writ testifieth ; for Sathan hath alwayes desired to be
served, to the great hurte and spoyle of man. It hath beene
said that the priests and religious of Mexico rose at mid-
night, and having cast incense before the idoll, they retired
themselves into a large place, where there were many lights ;
and, sitting downe, every one took a poynt of Maguay/
which is like vnto an awle or sharpe bodkin, with the which,
or with some other kindes of launcets or rasors, they pierced
the calfes of their legges neare to the bone, drawing foorth
much blood, with the which they annoynted their temples,
and dipt these bodkins or lancets in the rest of the blood,
then set they them vpon the battlements of the Court,
stickt in gloabes or bowles of strawe, that all might see and
know the penance they did for the people : they do wash off
the blood in a lake appoynted for that purpose, which they
call Ezapangue, which is to say water of blood.
There were in the Temple a great number of bodkins or
lancets, for that they might not vse one twice. Moreover,
these Priests and Keligious men vsed great fastings, of five
or ten daies together, before any of their great feastes, and
they were vnto them as our foure ember weekes ; they were
so strict in continence that some of them (not to fall into
any sensualitie) slit their members in the midst, and did a
thousand thinges to make themselves vnable, lest they should
offend their gods. They drunke no wine and slept little, for
that the greatest part of their exercises were by night, com-
' " Al siizio Beelfegor."
"^ Maguey, Mexican aloe.
PENANCE OF PERUVIANS. 339
mitting great cruelties and martiring themselves for the
Divell, and all to be reputed great fasters and penitents.
They did vse to discipline themselves with cordes full of
knotteSj and not they onely, but the people also vsed this
punishment and whipping in the procession and feast they
made to the idoll Tezcatlipuca/ the which (as I have said
before) is the god of penance ; for then they all carried in
their hands new cordes of the threed of Maguey a fadome
long, with a knot at the end, and therewith they whipped
themselves, giving great lashes over their shoulders. The
Priests did fast five daies together before this feast, eating
but once a day, and they lived apart from their wives, not
going out of the Temple daring those five daies; they did
whip themselves rigorously in the manner aforesaid. The
lesuites which have written from the Indies treate amply of
the penances and exceeding rigor the Bonzes^ vse, all which
was but counterfait, and more in shew then in trueth. In
Peru, to solemnize the feast of the Ytu^ which was great, all the
people fasted two daies; during the which they did not ac-
company with their wives, neyther did they eate any meate
with salt or axi,"^ nor drinke chicha. They did much vse
this kinde of fasting for some sinnes, and did penance, whip-
ping themselves with sharp stinging nettles, and often they
strooke themselves over the shoulders with certain stones.
This blinde nation, by the perswasion of the Divell, did
transport themselves into craggy mountaines, where some-
times they sacrificed themselves, casting themselves downe
from some high rocke. All which are but snares and de-
ceites of him that desires nothing more then the losse and
mine of man.
^ Tezcatlipoca was the most important of the Mexican gods. The
prayers to him are given by Sahagun. His principal image was cut out
of obsidian. 2 Bonzes, Buddhist Priests.
' Hattm is "great" in Quichua. * Chile pepper.
z 2
Lib. v.
340 PERUVTAN SACRIFICES.
Cftap. xviti. — Of the Sacrifices the Indians made to the Dlvell,
and whereof.
LiB.v. It hath beene in the aboundance and diversitie of Offrings
and Sacrifices taught vnto the Infidells for their idolatrie,
that the enemy of God and man hath most shewed his sub-
tiltie and wickednes. And as it is a fit thing and proper to
religion to consume the substance of the creatures for the
service and honour of the Creator, the which is by sacrifice,
even so the father of lies hath invented the meanes to cause
the creatures of God to be offered vnto him, as to the Author
and Lord thereof. The first kinde of sacrifices which men
vsed was very simple; for Caine offered the fruites of the
earth, and Abell the best of his cattell, the which likewise
Gen. XV. ^^6 and Abraham did afterwardes and the other patriarkes,
vntil that this ample ceremony of Levi was given by Moses,
wherein there are so many sortes and differences of sacrifices
of divers things for divers affaires and with divers cere-
monies. In like sort, among some nations, hee hath beene
content to teach them to sacrifice of what they had ; but,
among others, hee hath passed farre, giving them a multi-
tude of customes and ceremonies vpon sacrifices, and so
many observances as they are wonderfull. And thereby it
appeares plainely that he meanes to contend and equall him-
selfe to the ancient law, and in many things vsurpe the same
ceremonies. Wee may draw all the sacrifices the Infidells
vse into three kindes — one of insensible things, another of
beasts, and the third of men. They did vse in Peru to sacri-
fice coca which is an hearb they esteeme much, of mays
which is their wheate, of coloured feathers, and of chaquiiyj}
which otherwise they call mollo,^ of shelles or oysters, and
sometimes gold and silver being in figures of little beasts.
' Chaqidra. See Cieza tie Leon, pp. 176, 405 ; and G. de la Vega, i,
lib. vm, cap. 5. * Mulhi, Quichua for a shell.
PERUVIAN SACRIFICES. 341
Also of the fine stufie of Gunihij^ of carved and sweete wood_, ^^^- ^•
and most commonly tallow burnt. They made these offer-
ings or sacrifices for a prosperous winde, and faire weather,
or for their health, and to be delivered from some dangers
and mishappes. Of the second kinde their ordinary sacri-
fice was of GuijeSj^ which are small beasts like rabbets, the
which the Indians eate commonly. And in matters of im-
portance, or when they were rich men, they did offer Pacos,^
or Indian sheepe bare or with wooll, observing curiously the
numbers, colours, and times. The manner of killing their
sacrifices, great or small, which the Indians did vse accord-
ing to their ancient ceremonies, is the same the Moores vse
at this day, the which they call Alquible,^ hsuaging the beast
by the right fore legge, turning his eyes towards the sun,
speaking certain wordes according to the qualitie of the
sacrifice they slew; for, if it were of colour, their words were
directed to Chuquilla^ and to the Thunder, that they might
want no water; if it were white and smoothe they did offer
it to the Sunne with certain words ; if it had a fleece they
did likewise offer it him with some others, that he might
shine vpon them and favour their generation; if it were a
GiianacOj which is gray, they directed their sacrifice to
Viracocha. In Cusco they did every yeare kill and sacrifice
with this ceremony a shorne sheepe to the Sunne, and did
burne it, clad in a red waste-coate ; and when they did
burne it, they cast certaine small baskets of Coca into the
fire, which they call Vilcaronca, for which sacrifice they have
both men and beasts appointed which serve to no other vse.
They did likewise sacrifice small birdes, although it were
not so vsuall in Peru as in Mexico, where the sacrificing of
* Ccompi, Quichua for fine cloth. See G. de la Vega^ i, lib. v, cap. 6.
'^ Cuy (for Ccoy), a guinea pig. See G. de la Vega, i, lib. vi, cap. 6.
3 Alpacas.
* Kibla, the place to which Muhammadans look when praying.
* Chin/idlla (Chuqui-yUa), the Peruvian god of thunder and lightning.
See Molina MS. {Laics and Rhea of the Yncas, pp. 26, 56, 155, 167).
342 PERUVIAN SACRIFICES.
Lib, v. quailes was very ordinarie. Those of Peru did sacrifice the
birdes of the Puna^ for so they call the desart, when they
should go to the warres, for to weaken the forces of their
adversaries Huacas. They called these sacrifices Guzcovicsa,
or Gontevicsaj or JIuallavicsa, or Sopavlcsay and they did it
in this manner : they tooke many kindes of small birdes of
the desart, and gathered a great deale of a thornie wood,
which they called YanlUj the which being kindled they
gathered together these small birdes. This assembly they
called Quiso. Then did tliey cast them into the fire, about
the which the officers of the sacrifice went with certaine
round stones carved, whereon were painted many snakes,
lions, toades, and tigres, vttering this word Vsachum,^ which
signifies, let the victorie be given vnto vs, with other wordes,
whereby they sayed the forces of their enemies Huacas were
confounded. And they drew forth certaine black sheepe,
which had beene kept close some dales without meate, the
which they called Vrcu,^ and in killing them they spake these
words: '*^As the hearts of these beasts be weakened, so let
our enemies be weakned.''^ And if they found in these sheep
that a certaine peece of flesh behind the heart were not con-
sumed by fasting and close keeping, they then held it for an
ill augure. They brought certaine black dogs, which they
call Apurucos,^ and slew them, casting them into a plaine with
certaine ceremonies, causing some kinde of men to eate this
flesh, the which sacrifices they did lest the Ynca should be
hurt by poison ; and for this cause they fasted from morn-
ing vntill the stars were vp, and then they did glut and de-
file themselves like to the Moores. This sacrifice was most
fit for them to withstand their enemies gods ; and, although
at this day a great part of these customes have ceased, the
wars being ended, yet remaines there some relikes by reason
of the private or generall quarrels of the Indians, or the
' From Usackuni, I accomplish. 2 Xhe male animal.
^ Apu^ chief. Iluccu^ old or dccrepid. In Quicluui allco is a dog.
PERUVIAN SACRIFICES. 343
Caciques, or in their citties. They did likewise offer and ^^°- '^•
sacrifice shelles of the sea which they call Molloj^ and they
offered them to the fountaines and springs, saying that these
shells were daughters of the sea^ the mother of all waters.
They gave vnto these shells sundrie names according to the
color, and also they vse them to divers ends. They vsed
them in a manor in all kinde of sacrifices^ and yet to this
day they put beaten shells in their Chicha for a superstition.
Finally they thought it convenient to ofi'er sacrifices of
everything they did sow or raise vp. There were Indians
appointed to doe these sacrifices to the fountaines, springs_,
and rivers, which passed through the townes or by their
Chacras, which are their farmes^ which they did after seede
time, that they might not cease running, but alwaies water
their groundes. The sorcerers did coniure to know what
time the sacrifices should be made, which, being ended, they
did gather of the contribution of the people what should be
sacrificed and delivered them to such as had the charge of
these sacrifices. They made them in the beginning of win-
ter, at such time as the fountaines, springs, and rivers did
increase by the moistures of the weather, which they did
attribute to their sacrifices. They did not sacrifice to the
fountaines and springs of the desarts. To this day con-
tinues the respect they had to fountaines, springs, pooles,
brookes, or rivers which passe by their citties or chacras,
even vnto the fountaines and rivers of the desarts. They
have a speciall regard and reverence to the meeting of two
rivers, and there they wash themselves for their health,
anointing themselves first with the fiower of mays, or some
other things, adding therevnto divers ceremonies, the which
they do likewise in their bathes.
' Mullu, a shell.
344 HUMAN SACRIFICES.
Chap. xix. — Of the Sacrifices they made of men,
^"- ^- The most pittifull disaster of this poore people is their
slavery vnto the Devill, sacrificing men vnto him, which are
the Images of God. In many nations they had vsed to kill
(to accompany the dead, as hath beene declared) such per-
sons as had been agreeable vnto him, and whome they
imagined might best serve him in the other world. Besides
this, they vsed in Peru to sacrifice yong children of foure or
six yeares old vnto tenne; and the greatest parte of these
sacrifices were for the affaires that did import the Ynca, as
in sickness for his health, and when he went to the warres
for victory, or when they gave the wreathe to their new
Ynca, which is the marke of a King, as heere the Scepter
and the Crowne be. In this solemnitie they sacrificed the
number of two hundred children, from foure to ten yeares
of age, which was a cruell and inhumane spectacle. The
manner of the sacrifice was to drowne them and bury them
with certaine representations and ceremonies; sometimes
they cutte off their heads, annointing themselves with the
blood from one eare to another.
They did likewise sacrifice Yirgines, some of them that
were brought to the Ynca from the monasteries, as hath
beene saide. In this case there was a very great and
generall abuse. If any Indian qualified or of the common
sorte were sicke, and that the Divine told him confidently
that he should die, they did then sacrifice his owne sonne to
the Sunne or to Yirachoca, desiring them to be satisfied
with him, and that they would not deprive the father of life.
This cruelty is like to that the holy Scripture speakes of,
which King Moab vsed in sacrificing his first borne sonne
vpon the wall in the sight of all Israel, to whome this act
seemed so mournfull as they would not presse him any
further, but returned to their houses. The Holy Scripture
MEXICAN HUMAN SACRIFICES. 345
also shewes that the like kinde of sacrifice had been in vse ^^^- ^'
amongst the barbarous nations of the Cananeans, and lebu-
seans_, and others, whereof the booke of Wisedome speakes:
'' They call it peace to live in so great miseries and vexa-
tions as to sacrifice their own children, or to doe other hid-
den sacrifices, as to watch whole nights doing the actes of
fooles, and so they keepe no cleanenesse in their life, nor in
their marriages, but one through envy takes away the life
of another, another takes away his wife and his content-
ment, and all is in confusion, blood, murther, theft, deceipt,
corruption, infidelitie, seditions, periuries, mutinies, forget-
fulnesse of God, pollution of soules, change of sexes and
birth, inconstancie of marriages, and the disorder of adul-
tery and filthiness j for idolatry is the sincke of all miseries/^
The Wise man speaketh this of those people of whome David Psai. cv.
complaines, that the people of Israel had learned those cus-
tomes, even to sacrifice their sonnes and daughters to the
divell, the which was never pleasing nor agreeable vnto God.
For as hee is the Authour of life, and hath made all these
things for the commoditie and good of man, so is hee not
pleased that men should take the lives one from another;
although the Lord did approve and accept the willingnesse
of the faithfull patriarke Abraham, yet did hee not consent
to the deede, which was to cut off the head of his sonne;
wherein wee see the malice and tyranny of the divell, who
would be herein as God, taking pleasure to be worshipt with
the efi*usion of man's blood, procuring by this meanes the
mine of soule and body together for the deadly hatred he
beareth to man as his cruell enemy.^
* See, on the subject of Peruvian human sacrifices, the volume on
Laws and Rites of the Yncas^ pp. 54, 58, 79, 85, 100, 166. See also my
note on the subject in G. de la Veya, i, p. 139.
346 MEXICAN HUMAN SACRIFICES.
Chap. xx. — Of the horrible. sacrifices of men which the Mexi-
caines vscd.
Lib. v. Althougli tliey of Peru have surpassed the Mexicaines in
-the slaughter and sacrifice of their children (for I have not
read nor vnderstood that the Mexicaines v&ed any such
sacrifices), yet they of Mexico have exceeded them, yea,
all the nations of the worlde, in the great number of men
which they had sacrificed, and in the horrible maner thereof.
And to the end we may see the great miserie wherein the
Divell holdes this blind Nation, 1 wil relate particularly
the custome and inhumane maner which they have observed.
First, the men they did sacrifice were taken in the warres,
neyther did they vse these solemne sacrifices but of Captives :
so as it seemes therein they have followed the custome of
the Ancients. For as some Authors say they called the
sacrifice Victima, for this reason, because it was of a con-
quered thing : they also called it Hostia quasi ah hoste, for
that it was an offering made of their enemies, although
they have applied this word to all kindes of sacrifices. In
truth the Mexicaines did not sacrifice any to their idolls,
but Captives, and the ordinarie warres they made was onely
to have Captives for their sacrifices : and therefore when
they did fight they laboured to take their enemies alive, and
not to kill them, to inioy their sacrifices. And this was the
reason which Mote^uma gave to the Marquis del Valle,^ when
he asked of him why being so mighty, and having con-
quered so many kingdomes, hee had not subdued the Pro-
vince of Tlascalla, which was so neere : Mote^uma answered
him that for two reasons hee had not conquered that Pro-
vince, although it had beene easie if he would have vnder-
taken it : the one was for the exercise of the youth of
' The title conferred upon liernan Cortes.
MEXICAN HUMAN SACRIFICES. 347
Mexico, lest they should fall into idlenes and delight : the ^^°- '^'
other and the chiefe cause why he had reserved this Pro-
vince was to have Captives for the sacrifices of their gods.
The maner they vsed in these sacrifices was_, they assem-
bled within the palisado of dead mens seniles (as hath
beene said), such as should be sacrificed, vsing a certaine
ceremony at the foot of the palisado, placing a great guard
about them. Presently there stept foorth a Priest, attyred
with a shorte surplise full of tasselles beneath, who came
from the top of the temple with an idoll made of paste, of
wheate and mays mingled with hony, which had the eyes
made of the graines of greene glasse, and the teeth of the
graines of mays ; hee descended the steppes of the temple
with all the speede he could, and mounted on a great stone
planted vpon a high terrasse in the midst of the court. This
stone was called Quauxicalli, which is to say the stone of
Eagle, whereon he mounted by a little ladder, which was
in the fore part of the terrase, and descended by an other
staire on the other side, still embracing his idoll. Then
did he mount to the place where those were that should be
sacrificed, shewing this idoll to every one in particular,
saying vnto them this is your god. And having ended his
shew, he descended by the other side of the staires, and all
such as should die went in procession vnto the place where
they should be sacrificed, where they found the Ministers
ready for that office. The ordinary manner of sacrificing
was to open the stomake of him that was sacrificed, and
having pulled out his heart halfe alive, they tumbled the
man downe the staires of the Temple, which were all im-
brewed and defiled with blood. And to make it the more
plaine, sixe sacrificers beeing appoynted to this dignitie,
came into the place of sacrifice, foure to holde the hands
and feete of him that should be sacrificed, the fift to holde
his head, and the sixt to open his stomacke, and to pull out
the heart of the sacrificed. They called them Chachalmua,
348 MKXICAN HUMAN SACRIFICF^S.
Lib. v. which ill our tong is as much as the ministers of holy
things. It was a high dignitie^ and much esteemed amongest
them, wherein they did inherite and succede as in a fee
simple. The minister who had the office to kill, which was
the sixt amongest them, was esteemed and honoured as the
soveraigne Priest and Bishop, whose name was different,
according to the difference of times and solemnities. Their
habites were likewise divers when they came foorth to the
sacrifice, according to the diversitie of times. The name of
their chiefe dignitie was Papa and Topilzin;^ their habite and
robe was a red curtain, after the Dalmatica fashion, with
tasselles belowe, a crowne of rich feathers, greene, white,
and yellow vpon his head, and at his eares like pendants
of golde, wherein were set greene stones, and vnder the
lip, vpon the middest of the beard, hee had a peece like
vnto a small canon of an azured stone. These sacrificers
came with their faces and handes coloured with a shining
blacke. The other five had their haire much curled, and
tied vp with laces of leather bound about the middest of the
head : vpon their forehead they carried small roundelets of
paper, painted with diverse colours, and they were attired
in a Dalmatica robe of white, wroght with blacke. With
this attire they represented the very figure of the Divell, so
as it did strike feare and terror into all the people to see
them come forth with so horrible a representation. The
soveraigne priest carried a great knife in his hand of a large
and sharpe flint : another priest carried a coller of wood,
wrought in forme of a snake : all sixe put themselves in
order, ioyning to this Piramidall stone whereof I have
spoken, being directly against the doore of the Chappell of
their idoll. This stone was so pointed as the man which
was to be sacrificed being laid thereon vpon his backe did
bend in such sort as letting the knife but fall vpon his
stomacke it opened very easily in the middest. When
' Topiltzin, the chief sacrificial ^niest.
MEXICAN HUMAN SACRIFICES. 349
the sacrificers were thus in order they drew forth such as ^"' ^•
had beene taken in warre, which were to be sacrificed at that
feast, and being accompanied with a guard of men all naked
they caused them to mount vp these large staires in ranke
to the place where the Ministers were prepared : and as
every one of them came in their order, the six sacrificers
tooke the prisoner_, one by one foote another by the other,
and one by one hand another by the other, casting him on
his backe vpon this pointed stone, where the fift of these
Ministers put the coller of wood about his necke, and the
high priest opened his stomacke with the knife, with a
strange dexteritie and nimblenes, pulling out his heart with
his hands, the which he shewed smoaking vnto the Sunne,
to whom he did offer this heate and fume of the heart, and
presently he turned towardes the idoll, and did cast the
heart at his face, then did they cast away the body of the
sacrificed, tumbling it downe the staires of the Temple, the
stone being set so neere the staires as there were not two
foote space betwixt the stone and the first steppe, so as with
one spurne with their foote they cast the body from the
toppe to the bottome. In this sort one after one they did
sacrifice all those that were appointed. Being thus slain,
and their bodies cast downe, their masters, or such as had
taken them, went to take them vp and carried them away :
then having divided them amongest them they did eate
them, celebrating their feast and solemnitie. There were
ever forty or fifty at the least thus sacrificed, for that they
had men very expert in taking them. The neighbour
Nations did the like, imitating the Mexicaines in the customes
and ceremonies of the service of their gods.
OOO MEXICAN HUMAN SACRIFICES.
Chap. xxi. — Of another hind of sacrifices of men luhich the
Mexicaines vsed.
Lib. v. There was an other kinde of sacrifice which they made
in divers feasts, which they called Racaxipe Velitzli, which
is as much as the fleaing of men.^ They call it so for that
in some feasts they tooke one or more slaves as they pleased,
and after they had flead him they with that skinne appa-
relled a man appoynted to that end. This man went
dauncing and leaping thorow all the houses and market
places of the cittie, every one being forced to offer some-
thing vnto him : and if any one failed hee would strike him
over the face with a corner of the skinne, defyling him with
the congealed blood. This invention continued vntill the
skinne did stinke : during which time, such as went gathered
together much almes, which they imployed in necessary
things for the service of their gods. In many of these
feasts they made a challenge betwixt him that did sacrifice
and him that should be sacrifyced thus : they tied the slave
by one foote to a wheele of stone, giving him a sword and
target in his handes to defend himselfe : then presently
stept foorth hee that sacrificed him, armed with another
sword and target : if he that should be sacrificed defends
himselfe valiantly against the other, and resisted him, hee
then remayned freed from the sacrifjxe, winning the name
of a famous Captaine, and so was reputed : but if hee were
vanquished they then sacrifyced him on the stone where-
vnto he was tyed. It was an other kinde of sacrifyce,
whenas they appoynted any slave to be the representation
of the idoll, saying that it was his picture. They every
yeare gave one slave to the Priests, that they might never
want the lively image of their idoll. At his fyrst entry into
the office, after hee had beene well washed, they attyred
» Xipeme means flayed.
PEOPLE WEARY OF THE SACKIFICES. 351
him with all the ornaments of the idoll, giving him the i^ib- '«'•
same name. Hee was that whole yeare reverenced and
honoured as the idoll itselfe^ and had alwayes with him
twelve men for his guarde, lest hee should flie^ with which
guarde they suffered him to goe freely, and where hee would :
and if by chaunce he fled, the chiefe of the guarde was
put in his place to represent the idoll, and after to be
sacrificed.
This Indian had the most honourable lodging in all the
temple, where he did eate and drincke, and whither all the
chiefe Ministers came to serve and honour him, carrying
him meate after the manner of great personages. When
hee went through the streetes of the citie hee was well
accompanyed with noble men ; he carried a little flute in his
hand, which sometimes he sounded, to give them knowledge
when he passed. Then presently the women came forth
with their little children in their arms, which they presented
vnto him, saluting him as god. All the rest of the people
did the like : at night they put him in a strong prison or
cage, lest he should flie ; and when the feast came they
sacrificed him, as hath beene sayde. By these and manie
other meanes hath the Divell abused and entertained these
poore wretches, and such was the multitude of those that
had beene sacrificed by this infernall cruelty as it seems a
matter incredible, for they affirme there were sonje dayes
five thousand or more, and that there were above twenty
thousand sacrifyced in diverse places. The divell to inter-
taine this murther of men, vsed a pleasant and strange in-
vention, which was, when it pleased the priests of Sathan
they went to their Kings, telling them how their gods died
for hunger, and that they should remember them. Presently
they prepared themselves, and advertised one another that
their gods required meate, and therefore they should com-
mand their people to be ready to goe to the warres ; and
thus the people assembled, and the companies appoynted
352 ABOLITION OF THE SACRIFICES.
Lib. v. ^vent to field, where they mustred their forces ; and all their
quarrell and fight was to take one another for sacrifice,
striving on either side to take what captives they could, so
as in these battells they laboured more to take then to kill,
for that all their intention was to take men alive, to give
them to their idolls to eate, for after that manor brought
they their sacrifice vnto their gods. And wee must vnder-
stand that never king was crowned vntill he had subdewed
some province, from the which hee brought a great number
of captives for the sacrifices of their gods, so as it was an
infinit thing to see what blood was spilt in the honour of
the Divell.
Chap. xxii. — How the Indians grew weary and could not
endure the cruelty of Sathan.
Many of these Barbarians were nowe wearied and tyred
with such an excessive cruelty in sheading so much blood,
and with so tedious a tribute to be alwayes troubled to get
captives for the feeding of their gods, seeming vnto them a
matter supportable; yet left they not to followe and execute
their rigorous lawes, for the great awe the ministers of these
idols kept them in and the cunning wherewith they abused
this poore people. But inwardly they desired to be freed
from so heavy a yoke. And it was a great providence of
God that the first which gave them knowledge of the Lawe
of Christ found them in this disposition; for, without doubt,
it seemed to them a good law and a good God to be served
in this sorte. Heerevpon a grave religious man in New
Spain told me that when he was in that country hee had
demaunded of an auntient Indian, a man of qualitie, for
what reason the Indians hadde so soone received the Lawe
of lesus Christ and left their owne, without making any
other proofe, triall, or dispute thereon, for it seemed they
ABOLITION OF THE SACRIFICES. 353
had changed their religion without any sufficient reason to
moove them. The Indian answered him: '^Beleeve not,
Father, that we have embraced the Law of Christ so rashly
as they say, for I will tell you that we were already weary
and discontented with such things as the idolls commaunded
vs, and were determined to leave it and to take another Law.
But whenas we found that the religion that you preached
had no cruelties in it, and that it was fit for vs and both iast
and good, we vnderstood and beleeved that it was the true
Law, and so we received it willingly/' Which answer of
this Indian agrees well with that we read in the first Dis-
course, that Fernand Cortes sent to the Emperor Charles
the Fift, wherein hee reportes that after he had conquered
the city of Mexico, being in Cuyoacan, there came Ambas-
sadors to him from the province and commonwealth of
Mechoacan, requiring him to send them his law and that he
would teach them to vnderstand it, because they intended
to leave their owne, which seemed not good vnto them,
which Cortes graunted, and at this day they are the best
Indians and the truest Christians that are in New Spaine.
The Spaniards that saw these cruell sacrifices resolved with
all their power to abolish so detestable and cursed a butcher-
ing of men, and the rather for that in one night before their
eies they sawe threescore or threescore and tenne Spaniards
saci'ificed, which had beene taken in a battell given at the
conquest of Mexico; and another time they found written
with a cole in a chamber in Tezcuco these wordes: ''Here
such a miserable man was prisoner with his companions
whom they of Tezcuco did sacrifice/'
There happened a very strange thing vpon this subiect,
and yet true, being reported by men worthie of credite;
which was that the Spaniards beholding these sacrifices,
having opened and dravvne out the heart of the lustie yong
man, and cast him from the toppe of the staires (as their
custome was) when hee came at the bottome, he said to the
A A
Lid. v.
354 THE PERUVIAN FEAST OF RAYMI.
^^^- '^- Spaniards in his language, ^'Kniglites, they have slaine me,"
the which did greatly moove our men to horror and pittie.
It is no incredible thing that having his heart pulled out
hee might speake, seeing that Galen reports that it hath
often chanced in the sacrifice of beasts, after the heart hath
Galen lib. been drawuo out and cast vpon the altar the beasts have
11, de Hip. ^
v^acftT^^' breathed; yea, they did bray and cry out alowde, and some-
^^^* * times did runne. Leaving this question how this might bee
in nature, J will follow my purpose, which is to shew how
much these barbarous people did now abhorre this insuport-
able slaverie they had to that infernall murthering, and how
great the mercy of the Lord hath beene vnto them, impart-
ing his most sweete and agreeable law.
Chap, xxiii. — How the Divell hath laboured to iraitate atid
counterfaite the Sacraments of the holy Gliurch.
That which is most admirable in the hatred and presump-
tion of Sathan is, that he hath not onely counterfaited in
idolatry and sacrifices but also in certaine ceremonies our
sacraments, which lesus Christ our Lord hath instituted
and the holy Church doth vse, having especially pretended
to imitate in some sort the Sacrament of the Communion,
which is the most high and divine of all others, for the great
error of Infidells which proceeded in this manor. In the
first moneth, which in Peru they called Rayme^ and answer-
eth to our December, they made a most solemne feast called
Capacrayme,^ wherein they made many sacrifices and cere-
monies, which continued many daies, during the which no
stranger was sufi'ered to bee at the Court, which was in
Cusco. These daies being past, they then gave libertie to
strangers to enter, that they might be partakers of the
feastes and sacrifices, ministring to them in this maner.
^ Raymi was the month of June.
2 Ccapac Raymi was the solstice of December.
PERUVIAN COMMUNION. 355
The MamacoTias of the Sunne, which were a kinde of i^^^. v.
Nannes of the Sunne, made little loaves of the flower of
Mays, died and mingled with the bloud of white sheepe,
which they did sacrifice that day; then presently they com-
manded that all strangers should enter, who set themselves
in order; and the Priests, which were of a certaine lineage,
discending from Liuquiyupangui,^ gave to every one a mor-
cell of these small loaves, saying vnto them that they gave
these peeces to the end they should be vnited and confede-
rate with the Ynca, and that they advised them not to speake
nor thinke any ill against the Ynca, but alwaies to beare
him good affection, for that this peece should be a witnesse
of their intentions and will, and if they did not as they
ought he would discover them and be against them. They
parried these small loaves in great platters of gold and
silver appointed for that vse, and all did receive and eate
these peeces, thanking the Sunne infinitely for so great a
favour which hee had done them, speaking wordes and
making signes of great contentment and devotion; protest-
ing that during their lives they would neither do nor thinke
any thing against the Sunne nor the Ynca : and with this
condition they received this foode of the Sunne, the which
should remaine in their bodies for a witnesse of their fidelitie
which they observed to the Sunne and to the Ynca their
King. This manor of divelish communicating they likewise
vsed in the tenth moneth called Coyarayrae,^ which was Sep-
tember, in the solemne feast which they called Cytua,^ doing
the like ceremonies. And besides this communion (if it be
lawfull to vse this word in so divelish a matter) which they
imparted to all strangers that came, they did likewise send
of these loaves to all their Guacas, sanctuaries, or idolls, of
the whole Kealme; and at one instant they found people of
all sides which came expresly to receive them, to whom they
* Lloque Yupanqui was the third sovertign of the Ynca dynasty.
2 Ccoya Rayrai, ^ Festival of Situa.
A A 2
Lin. V.
356 MEXICAN COMMUNION.
said (in delivering them) that the Sunne had sent them that
in signe that hee would have them all to worship and honour
him, and likewise did sende them in honour of the Caciques.
Some, perhappes, will hold this for a fable and a fiction ;
yet is it most true that, since the Ynca Yupangi (the which
is hee that hath made most lawes, customes, and ceremonies,
as Numa did in Rome), this manor of communion hath con-
tinued vntill that the Gospel of our Lord lesus Christ thrust
out all these superstitions, giving them the right foode of
life, which vnites their soules to God. Whoso would satisfie
himselfe more amply let him reade the relation which the
Licentiate Polo did write to Don leronimo de Loaysa, Arch-
bishop of the Cittie of Kings, where he shall finde thir^ and
many other things which he hath discovered and found out
by his great dilligence.
Chap. xxiv. — In what maner the Dlvell hath laboured in
Mexico to counterfaite the feast of the holy Sacrament
and Communion vsed in the holy Church,
It is a thing more worthy admiration to heare speak of
the Feast and solemnitie of the Communion which the Divel
himselfe, the Prince of Pride, ordayned in Mexico, the
which (although it bee somewhat long) yet shall it not
be from the purpose to relate, as it is written by men of
credite. The Mexicaines in the moneth of Maie made their
principall feast to their god Vitzilipuztli, and two daies
before this feast, the Virgins whereof I have spoken (the
which were shut vp and secluded in the same Temple and
were as it were religious women) did mingle a quantitie of
the seede of beetes with rested Mays, and then they did
mould it with honie, making an idoll of that paste in big-
nesse like to that of wood, putting insteede of eyes graines
of greene glasse, of blue, or white; and for teeth graines of
Mays set forth with all the ornament and furniture that I
MEXICAN COMMUNION. 357
have said. This being finished, all the Noblemen came and ^*^-
brought it an exquisite and rich garment, like vnto that of
the idol, wherewith they did attyre it. Being thus clad and
deckt, they did set it in an azured chaire and in a litter to
carry it on their shoulders. The morning of this feast being
come, an houre before day all the maidens came forth at-
tired in white with new ornaments, the which that day were
called the Sisters of their god Yitzlipuztli, they came crowned
with garlands of Mays rested and parched, being like vnto
azahar or the flower of orange; and about their neckes they
had great chaines of the same, which went bauldricke-wise
vnder their left arme. Their cheekes were died with Ver-
million, their armes from the elbow to the wrist were covered
with red parrots^ feathers. And thus attyred they tooke the
idoll on their shoulders carrjdng it into the Court, where all
the yoong men were attyred in garmeutes of an artificiall
red, crowned after the same manor like vnto the women.
When as the maidens came forth with the idoll the yong
men drew neer with much reverence, taking the litter wherein
the idoll was vpon their shoulders, carrying it to the foote
of the staires of the Temple, where all the people did humble
themselves, laying earth vpon their heads, which was an
ordinarie ceremonie which they did observe at the chiefe
feast of their gods. This ceremony being ended, all the
people went in procession with all the diligence and speede
they could, going to a mountain, which was a league from
the city of Mexico, called Chapultepec, and there they made
sacrifices. Presently they went from thence with like dili-
gence to go to a place neere vnto it which they called Atla-
cuyauaya, where they made their second station; and from
thence they went to another burgh or village a league be-
yond Cuyoacan, from whence they parted, returning to the
citie of Mexico^ not making any other station. They went
in this sort above foure leagues in three or foure houres,
calling this procession Ypayna Vitzlipuztli. Being come to
358 MEXICAN COMMUNION.
i^iB- V. the foote of the staires they set downe the brancard or litter
with the idoll, tying great cordes to the armes of the bran-
carde; then, with great observance and reverence, they did
drawe vp the Htter with the idoll in it to the top of the
Templcj some drawing above and others helping belowe; in
the meane time there was a great noise of fluites, trumpets^
cornets,, and drumraes. They did mount it in this manner,
for that the staires of the Temple were very steepe and
narrow, so as they could not carry vp the litter vpon their
shoulders, while they mounted vp the idoll all the people
stoode in the Court with much reverence and feare. Being
mounted to the top, and that they had placed it in a little
lodge of roses which they held readie, presently came the
yong men, which strawed many flowers of sundrie kindes,
wherewith they filled the temple both within and without.
This done all the Virgins came out of their convent, bring-
ing peeces of paste compounded of beetes and rested Mays,
which was of the same paste whereof their idoll was made
and compounded, and they were of the fashion of great
bones. They delivered them to the yong men, who carried
them vp and laide them at the idolFs feete, wherewith
they filled the whole place that it could receive no more.
They called these morcells of paste the flesh and bones
of Yitzilipuztli. Having layed abroade these bones, pre-
sently came all the Ancients of the Temple, Priests, Levites,
and all the rest of the Ministers, according to their dig-
nities and antiquities (for heerein there was a strict order
amongst them) one after another, with their vailes of diverse
colours and workes, every one according to his dignity and
office, having garlands vpon their heads and chaines of
flowers about their neckes; after them came their gods and
goddesses whom they worshipt, of diverse figures, attired in
the same livery; then putting themselves in order about
those morsells and peeces of paste, they vsed certaine cere-
monies with singing and daunciug. By meanes whereof
MEXICAN COMMUNION. 359
they were blessed and consecrated for the flesh and bones ^"- ^'
of this idoll.
This ceremony and blessing (whereby they were taken
for the flesh and bones of the idoll) being ended they
honoured those peeces in the same sorte as their god. Then
came foorth the sacrificers, who beganne the sacrifice of
men in the manner as hath beene spoken, and that day
they did sacrifice a greater number than at any other time,
for that it was the most solemne feast they observed. The
sacrifices being ended, all the yoong men and maides came
out of the temple attired as before, and being placed in
order and ranke, one directly against another, they daunced
by drummes, the which sounded in praise of the feast, and
of the idoll which they did celebrate. To which song all the
most ancient and greatest noble men did answer, dauncing
about them, making a great circle, as their vse is, the yoong
men and maides remayning alwayes in the middest. All
the citty came to this goodly spectacle, and there was a
commaundement very strictly observed throughout all the
land, that the day of the feast of the idoll Yitzilipuztli they
should eate no other meate but this paste, with hony,
whereof the idoll was made. And this should be eaten at
the point of day, and they should drincke no water nor any
other thing till after noone ; they held it for an ill signe,
yea, for sacrilege to doe the contrary : but after the cere-
monies ended, it was lawfuU for them to eate any thing.
During the time of this ceremony they hid the water from
their litle children, admonishing all such as had the vse of
reason not to drinke any water ; which, if they did, the
anger of God would come vpon them, and they should die,
which they did observe very carefully and strictly. The
ceremonies, dancing, and sacrifice ended, they went to vn-
clothe themselves, and the priests and superiors of the
temple tooke the idoll of paste, which they spoyled of all
the ornaments it had, and made many peeces, as well of the
360 MEXICAN COMMUNION.
^^^- ^' idoll itselfe as of the tronchons which were consecrated,
and then they gave them to the people in manor of a com-
munion, beginning with the greater, and continuing vnto
the rest, both men, women, and little children, who received
it with such teares, feare, and reverence as it was an ad-
mirable thing, saying that they did eate the flesh and bones
of God, wherewith they were grieved. Such as had any
sicke folkes demaunded thereof for them, and carried it with
erreat reverence and veneration.
All such as did communicate were bound to give the tenth
of this seede, whereof the idoll was made. The solemnitie
of the idoll being ended an olde man of great authoritie
stopt vp into a high place, and with a lowde voice preached
their lawe and ceremonies. Who would not wonder to see
the divell so curious to seeke to be worshipped and re-
verenced in the same manor that lesus Christ our God hath
appoynted and also taught, and as the Holy Church hath
accustomed. Hereby it is plainely verified what was pro-
pounded in the beginning, that Sathan strives all he can to
vsurp and chalenge vnto himselfe the honor and service that
is due to God alone, although he dooth still intermixe with
it his cruelties and lilthinesse, being the spirite of murther
and vncleanenesse and the father of lies.
Chap. xxv. — Of Confessors and Confession which the Indians
vsed.
The father of lies would likewise counterfeit the sacra-
ment of Confession, and in his idolatries seeke to be honored
with ceremonies very like to the manor of Christians. In
Peru they held opinion that all diseases and adversities came
for the sinnes which they had committed, for remedy whereof
they vsed sacrifices : moreover they confessed themselves
verbally, almost in all provinces, and had Confessors ap-
poynted by their superiors to that end, there were some
PEEUVIAN CONFESSION. 3^1
sinnes reserved for the superiors. They received penaunce,
yea, sometimes very sharpely, especially when the offender
was a poore man, and had nothing to give his Confessor.
This office of Confessor was likewise exercised by women.
The manner of these confessors sorcerers, whom they call
Ychuiri or Ychuri,-^ hath beene most generall in the pro-
vinces of Collasuio.^ They holde opinion that it is a heinous
sinne to conceale any thing in confession. The Ychuyri
or confessors discovered by lottos or by the view of some
beast hides if anything were concealed, and punished them
with many blowes with a stone vpon the shoulders, vntill
they had revealed all : then after they gave him penaunce,
and did sacrifice. They doe likewise vse this confession
when their children, wives, husbands, or their Caciques be
sicke, or in any great exploite. And when their Ynca was
sicke all the provinces confessed themselves, chiefly those
of the province of Collao. The Confessors were bound to
hold their confessions secret, but in certain cases limited.
The sinnes that they chiefly confessed was first to kill one
another out of warre, then to steale, to take another man's
wife, to give poison or sorcery to doe any harme; and they
helde it to be a grievous sinne to be forgetfull in the rever-
ence of their Guacas, or Oratories, not to observe the feasts,
or to speake ill of the Ynca and to disobey him. They ac-
cused not themselves of any secret actes and sinnes. But,
according to the report of some Priests, after the Christians
came into that countrey, they accused themselves of their
thoughts. The Ynca confessed himselfe to no man, but
onely to the Sunne, that hee might tell them to Virachoca,
and that he might forgive them. After the Ynca had been
confessed, hee made a certaine bath to cleanse himselfe in a
running river, saying these words : '^ I have told my sinnes
to the Sunne, receive them thou river, and carry them to
* Ychurichuc is a confessor, according to Arriaga, from Ychurini^ I
confess. - CoUa-suyu : the southern division of the Ynca Empire.
Lib. v.
362 PERUVIAN CONFESSION.
Lib. v. i^Ijq qq.^^ where they may never appeare more.'' Others that
confessed vsed likewise these baths^ with certaine cere-
monies very like to those the Moores vse at this day, which
they call Guadoy, and the Indians call them Opacuna} When
it chaunced that any man's children died he was held for a
great sinner, saying that it was for his sinnes that the sonne
died before the father ; and, therefore, those to whom this
had chanced, after they were confessed, they were bath'd in
. this bath called Ojpacunaj as is saide before. Then some
deformed Indian, crookebackt and counterfet by nature,
came to whippe them with certaine nettles. If the Sorcerers
or Inchaunters by their lots and divinations affirmed that
any sicke body should die, the sicke man makes no difficulty
to kill his owne sonne, though he had no other, hoping by
that meanes to escape death, saying that in his place he
offered his sonne in sacrifice. And this crueltie hath beene
practised in some places, even since the Christians came
into that countrey. In trueth it is strange that this cus-
tome of confessing their secret sinnes hath continued so
long amongest them, and to doe so strict penances, as to
fast, to give apparell, gold, and silver, to remaine in the
mountaines, and to receive many stripes vpon the shoulders.
Our men say, that in the province of Chucuito, even at this
day they meete with this plague of Confessors or Ychuris,
whereas many sicke persons repaire vnto them ; but now,
by the grace of God, this people beginnes to see cleerely the
effect and great benefite of our confession, wherevnto they
come with great devotion. And partely this former custome
hath been suffered by the providence of the Lord, that con-
fession might not seeme tedious vnto them.
By this meanes the Lord is wholy glorified, and the Divell
(who is a deceiver) deceived. And for that it concerneth
this matter I will reporte the manner of a strange confes-
sion the Divell hath invented at lappon, as appeares by a
* Upd-cniiciy bcitlis, from Upaiii^ I wash.
CONFESSION IN JAPAN. 363
letter that came from thence, which saith thus : " There are ^^^- "^•
in Ocaca very grejit and high and stiep rockes, which have
prickes or poynts on them, above two hundred fadome high.
Amongest these rockes there is one of these pikes or poyntes
so terribly high that when the Xamabusis (which be pil-
grimes) doe but looke vp vnto it, they tremble and their
haire stares, so fearefull and horrible is the place. Ypon
the toppe of this poynt there is a great rod of yron of three
fadome long, placed there by a strange devise ; at the end
of this rodde is a ballance tied, whereof the scales are so
bigge as a man may sit in one of them. And the Goquis
(which be divells in human shape) commaund these pilgrims
to enter therein one after another, not leaving one of them;
then, with an engine or instrument which mooveth by meanes
of a wheele, they make this rodde of yron whereon the bal-
lance is hanged to hang in the aire, one of these Xamabuzia
being set in one of the scales of the ballaunce. And as that
wherein the man is sette hath no counterpoise on the other
side, it presently hangeth downe, and the other riseth vntill
it meetes with and toucheth the rodde; then the Goquis
telleth them from the rocke that they must confesse them-
selves of all the sinnes they have committed to their remem-
brance, and that with a lowde voyce to th'end that all the
reste may heare him. Then presently hee beginneth to
confesse, whilest some of the standers by do laugh at the
sinnes they doe heare, and others sigh ; and at every sinne
they confesse the other scale of the ballance falles a little,
vntill that having tolde all his sinnes it remaines equall with
the other, wherein the sorrowfull penitent sits ; then the
Goquis turnes the wheele and drawes the rodde and bal-
lance vnto him, and the Pilgrime comes foorth ; then enters
another, vntill all have passed. A lapponois reported this
after hee was christned, saying that he had beene in this
pilgrimage, and entred the ballance seaven times, where he
had confessed himselfe publikely. He saide, moreover, that
Lib. v.
364 UNCTION IN MEXICO
if anie one did conceale any sinne the empty scale yeelded
not ; and if liee grew obstinate after instance made to con-
fesse himselfej refusing to open all his sinnes^ the Goquis
cast him downe from the toppe, where in an instant he is
broken into a thousand peeces. Yet this Christian, who was
called John, told vs that commonly the feare and terrour of
this place is so great to all such as enter therein, and the
danger they see with their eies to fall out of the ballance
and to be broken in peeces, that seldome there is any one
but discovers all his sins. This place is called by another
name Sangenotocoro, that is to say, the place of Confession;
wee see plain ely by this discourse how the Divell hath pre-
tended to vsurp vnto himselfe the service of God, making
confession of sinnes (which the Lord hath appoynted for the
remedy of man) a divellish superstition, to their great losse
and perdition. He hath doone no lesse to the Heathen of
lappon than to those of the provinces of Collao in Peru.
Chap. xxvi. — Of the ahominahle unction ivMch the Mexicaine
priestes and other Nations vsedj and of their witchcraft es.
God appoynted in the auntient Lawe the manner how
they should consecrate Aaron^s person and the other Priests,
and in the Lawe of the Gospel wee have likewise the holy
creame and vnction which they vse when they consecrate
the Priestes of Christ. There was likewise in the auntient
Lawe a sweete composition, which God defend should be
employed in anie other thing then in the divine service.
The Divel hath sought to counterfet all these things after
his manner as hee hath accustomed, having to this end in-
vented things so fowle and filthie, whereby they discover
wel who is the Author. The priests of the idolles in Mexico
were annoynted in this sort, they annointed the body from
the foote to the head, and all the haire likewise, which hung
UNCTION IN MEXICO. 365
like tresses, or a horse mane, for that they applyed this i^i^. v.
vnction wet and moyst. Their haire grew so as in time it
hung downe to their hamraes, so heavily that it was trouble-
some for them to beare it, for they did never cut it untill
they died, or that they were dispensed with for their great
age, or being employed in governments or some honorable
charge in the commonwealth. They carried their haire in
tresses, of sixe fingers breadth, which they died blacke with
the fume of sapine, or firre trees, or rosine ; for in all Anti-
quitie it hath bin an offring they made vnto their idolls, and
for this cause it was much esteemed and reverenced. They
were alwayes died with this tincture from the foote to the
head, so as they were like vnto shining Negroes, and that
was their ordinary vnction; yet, whenas they went to sacri-
fice and give incense in the mountaines, or on the tops
thereof, or in any darke and obscure caves where their
idolles were, they vsed an other kinde of vnction very differ-
ent, doing certaine ceremonies to take away feare, and to
give them courage. This vnction was made with diverse
little venomous beastes, as spiders, scorpions, palmers, sala-
manders, and vipers, the which the boyes in the Colledges
tooke and gathered together, wherein they were so expert,
as they were alwayes furnished when the Priestes called for
them. The chiefe care of these boj^es was to hunt after these
beasts ; if they went any other way and by chaunce met
with any of these beasts they stayed to take them, with as
great paine as if their lives depended thereon. By the rea-
son whereof the Indians commonly feared not these venom-
ous beasts, making no more accompt than if they were not
so, having beene all bred in this exercise. To make an oint-
ment of these beastes they tooke them all together, and
burnt them vpon the harth of the Temple, which was before
the Altare, vntill they were consumed to ashes ; then did
they put them in morters with much Tobacco or hetum
(being an hearbe that Nation vseth much to benumme the
Lib. V,
3^)6 MEXICAN UNCTION.
flesh that they may not feele their travell), with the which
they mingle the ashes, making them loose their force; they
did likewise mingle with these ashes scorpions, spiders, and
palmers alive, mingling all together; then did they put to
it a certaine seede being grownd, which they call Ololuchqui,
whereof the Indians make a drinke to see visions, for that
the vertue of this hearbe is to deprive man of sence. They
did likewise grinde with these ashes blacke and hairie
wormes, whose haire only is venomous, all which they
mingled together with blacke, or the fume of rosine, putting
it in small pots which they set before their god, saying it
was his meate: and, therefore, they called it a divine meate.
By means of this oyntment they became witches, and did
see and speake with the Divell. The priestes being slub-
bered with this oyntment lost all feare, putting on a spirit
of cruelty. By reason whereof they did very boldely kill
men in their sacrifices, going all alone in the night to the
mountaines and into obscure caves, contemning all wilde
beasts, and holding it for certayne and approved that both
lions, tigres, serpents, and other furious beasts which breede
in the mountaines and forrests fled from them by the vertue
of this hetuin of their god.
And in trueth, though this hetum had no power to make
them flie, yet was the Divelle's picture sufficient whereinto
they were transformed. This hetum did also serve to cure
the sicke and for children, and therefore all called it the
Divine Physicke ; and so they came from all partes to the
superiors and priests, as to their saviors, that they might
apply this divine physicke, wherewith they anoynted those
parts that were grieved. They said that they felt heereby
a notable ease, which might be, for that Tobacco and Olo-
luchqui have this propertie of themselves to benumme the
flesh, being applied in manner of an emplaister, which must
be by a stronger reason being mingled with poysons ; and
for that it did appease and benuuime the paine, they helde
SORCERERS AND WITCHES. 367
it for an effect of health, and a divine virtue. And there- ^^^- '^•
fore ranne they to these priests as to holy men, who kept
the blind and ignorant in this error, perswading them what
they pleased, and making them runne after their inventions
and divellish ceremonies, their authority being such as their
wordes were sufficient to induce beliefe as an article of their
faith. And thus made they a thousand superstitions amoug
the vulgar people, in their manor of offering incense, in cut-
ing their haire, tying small flowers about their necks, and
strings with small bones of snakes, commaunding them to
bathe at a certain time; and that they should watch all night
at the harth lest the fire should die; that they should eate
no other breade but that which had bin offered to their gods,
that they should vpon any occasion repaire vnto their witches,
who with certaine graines tolde fortunes, and divined, look-
ing into keelers and pailes full of water. The sorcerers and
ministers of the divell vsed much to besmere themselves.
There were an infinite number of these witches, divines, en-
chanters, and other false prophets. There remaines yet at
this day of this infection, althogh they be secret, not daring
publikely to exercise their sacrileges, divelish ceremonies,
and superstitions, but their abuses and wickednes are dis-
covered more at large and particularly in the confessions
made by the Prelates of Peru.
There is a kinde of sorcerers amongst the Indians allowed
by the Kings Yncas, which are, as it were, sooth-saiers, they
take vpon them what forme and figure they please, flying
farre through the aire in a short time, beholding all that was
done. They talke with the Divell, who answereth them in
certaine stones or other things which they reverence much.
They serve as coniurers, to tell what hath passed in the
farthest partes, before any newes can come. As it hath
chanced since the Spaniardes arrived there, that in the dis-
tance of two or three hundred leagues, they have knowne
the mutinies, battailes, rebellions, and deaths, both of tyrants,
Lib. v.
3G8 PERUVIAN SORCERERS.
and those of the King's partie, and of private men, the which
have beene knowne the same day they chanced^ or the day
after, a thing impossible by the course of nature. To worke
this divination, they shut themselves into a house, and be-
came drunk vntil they lost their sences, a day after they an-
swered to that which was demanded. Some aflSrme they
vse certaine vnctions. The Indians say that the old women
do commonly vse this office of witchcraft, and specially those
of one Province, which they call Coaillo, and of another
towne called Manchay, and of the Province of Huarochiri.
They likewise shew what is become of things stoloe and
lost. There are of these kindes of Sorcerers in all partes,
to whom commonly doe come the Anaconas,-^ and Chinas,
which serve the Spaniardes, and when they have lost any
thing of their masters, or when they desire to know the
successe of things past or to come, as when they goe to the
Spaniardes citties for their private affaires, or for the pub-
like, they demaund if their voyage shall be prosperous, if
they shall be sicke, if they shall die, or return safe, if they
shall obtaine that which they pretend : and the witches or
coniurers answer, yea, or no, having first spoken with the
Divell, in an obscure place ; so as these Anaconas do well
heare the sound of the voyce, but they see not to whom
these coniurers speake, neither do they vnderstand what
they say. They make a thousand ceremonies and sacrifices
to this effect, with the which they mocke the Divell and grow
exceeding drunke, for the doing whereof, the}^ particularly
vse an hearbe called Yillca,- the iuyce whereof they mingle
with their Chicha, or take it in some other sort, whereby we
may see how miserable they are, that have for their masters,
the ministers of him whose office is to deceive. It is mani-
fest that nothing doth so much let the Indians from receiv-
ing the faith of the holy Gospel, and to persever therein, as
» Yana-cunas, or Indians held to domestic service. See Balboa, p.
120. '^ A tree, the fruit of which is a purgative. — Moasi.
MEXICAN KITE RESEMBLING BAPTISM. 369
the conference with these witches, whereof there have bin,
and are still, great numbers, although by the grace of the
Lord, and diligence of the Prelates and Priestes, they de-
crease, and are not so hurtefull. Some of them have beene
converted and preached publikely, discovering and blaming
themselves, their errors and deceites, and manifesting their
devises and lies, whereof wee have scene great effects ; as
also we vnderstand by letters from Jappon, that the like
hath arrived in those parts ; all to the glory and honour of
our Lord God.
Lib v.
Chap. xxvn. — Of other Ceremonies and Gastomes of {he
Indians which are like vnto ours.
The Indians had an infinite number of other ceremonies
and customes which resembled to the ancient law of Moses,
and some to those which the Moores vse, and some ap-
proached neere to the law of the Gospel, as their bathes or
Opacuna, as they call them ; they did wash themselves in
water, to dense them from their sins. The Mexicaines had
also amongst them a kind of baptisme, the which they did
with ceremony, cutting the eares and members of yong
children new borne, counterfaiting in some sort the circum^
cision of the lewes. This ceremony was done principally
to the sonnes of Kings and Noblemen; presently vpon their
birth the priestes did wash them, and did put a little sword
in the right hand, and in the left a target. And to the
children of the vulgar sort they put the markes of their
offices, and to their daughters instruments to spinne, knit,
and labour. This ceremony continued four dales, being
made before some idoll. They contracted marriage after
their maner, whereof the Licentiate Polo hath written a
whole Treatise, and I will speake somewhat thereon heere-
after. In otlier things their customes and ceremonies have
B £
370 MEXICAN MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE.
Ltd. V, some show of reason. The Mexicaines were married by the
handes of their priestes in this sort. The Bridegroome and
the Bride stood together before the priest, who tooke them
by the hands asking them if they would marrie, then having
vnderstood their willes, hee tooke a corner of the vaile where-
with the woman had her head covered, and a corner of the
mans gowne, the which he tied together on a knot, and so
led them thus tied to the Bridegroomes house, where there
was a harth kindled, and then he caused the wife to go
seven times about the harth, and so the married couple sate
downe together, and thus was the marriage contracted. The
Mexicaines were very iealous of the integritie of their
wives ; so as if they found they were not as they ought to
be (the which they knew eyther by signes or dishonest
wordes), they presently gave notice thereof to their fathers
and kinsfolkes of their wives, to their great shame and dis-
honor, for that they had not kept good guarde over them.
But they did much honour and respect such as lived chastely,
making them great banquttes, and giving great presentes
both to her and to her kinsfolkes. For this occasion they
made great offerings to their gods, and a solemne banket in
the house of the wife, and another in the husbands. When
they went to house they made an inventory of all the man
and wife brought together, of provisions for the house, of
land, of iewells and ornaments, which inventories every
father kept, for if it chanced they made any devorce (as it
was common amongest them when they agree not), they
divided their goods according to the portion that every one
brought, every one having libertie in such a case to marry
whome they pleased ; and they gave the daughters to the
wife, and the sonnes to the husband. t was defended vpon
paine of death, not to marry againe together, the which
they observed very strictly. And although it seeme that
many of their ceremonies agree with ours, yet differ they
much for the great abomination they mingle therewithal!.
NUMEROUS IDOLS. 871
It is common and general! to have vsually one of these ^^^- ^•
three things, either cruelty, filthines, or slouth ; for all their
ceremonies were cruell and hurtefull, as to kill men and to
spill blood, are filthy and beastly, as to eate and drinke to
the name of their IdoUs, and also to pisse in the honour of
them, cai'rying them vpon their shoulders, to annoint and
besmeere themselves filthily, and to do a thousand sortes of
villanies, which were at the least, vaine_, ridiculous, and idle,
and more like the actions of children then of men. The
cause thereof is the very condition of this wicked spirit,
whose intention is alwaies to do ill, provoking men still
to murthers and filthines, or at the least to vanities and
fruitelesse actions, the which every man may well know, if
he duly consider the behaviour and actions of the Divell,
towardes those he sets to deceive. For in all his illusions
we finde a mixture of these three, or at least of one of
them. The Indians themselves (since they came to the
knowledge of our faith) laugh and mocke at these fooleries
and toyes, in the which their gods held them busied, whom
they served more for feare, least they should hurte them, in
not obeying them in all things, then for any love they bare
them. Although some, yea, very many lived, abused and
deceived, with the vaine hope of temporall goods, for of the
eternall they had no knowledge. And whereas the tempo-
rall power was greatest, there superstition hath most in-
creased, as we see in the Realmes of Mexico and Cusco,
where it is incredible to see the number of idolls they had;
for within the citty of Mexico there were above three
hundred. Mango Ynca Yupangui, amongst the Kings of
Cusco, was hee that most augmented the service of their
idolls, inventing a thousand kindes of sacrifices, feasts, and
ceremonies. The like did King Iscoalt^ in Mexico, who was
the fourth king. There was also a great number of super-
1 Izcohuatl, He built the famous temple of Huitzilopochtli, the first
god of the Mexicans.
B B 2
372 PERUVIAN FESTIVALS.
^^^- "^- stitions and sacrifices in other Nations of tlie Indians, as in
the Province of Guatiraala, at the Hands in the new King-
dome, in the Province of Chile, and others that were like
Commonwealthes and Comminalties. But it was nothing in
respect of Mexico and Cusco, where Sathan was as in
Rome, or in his Jerusalem, vntill he was cast out against
his will, and the holy Crosse planted in his place, and the
Kingdome of Christ our God occupied, the which the
tyrant did vsurpe.
Chap, xxviii. — Of some Feasts celebrated by them of Gasco,
and hoiv the Divell would imitate the mysterie of
the holy Trinitie,
To conclude that which concernes Religion, there restes
something to speake of the feasts and solemnities which the
Indians did celebrate, the which (for that they are divers
and many) cannot be all specified. The Yncas, Lords of
Peru, had two kindes of feasts, some were ordinarie, which
fell out in certaine moneths of the yeere ; and others extra-
ordinary, which were for certaine causes of importance, as
when they did crowne a new King, when they beganne
some warre of importance, when they had any great needo
of water or drought, or other like things. For the ordinary
feasts, we must vnderstand, that every moneth of the yeare
they made feasts, and divers sacrifices, and although all of
them had this alike, that they offered a hundred sheepe, yet
in colour and in forme they are very divers. In the first
moneth, which they call Ray me, which is the moneth of
December, they made their first feast, which was the prin-
cipall of all others, and for that cause they called it Capac-
rayme, which is to say, a rich and principall feast. In this
feast they offered a great number of sheepe and lambs in
sacrifi'ce, and they burnt them with sweete wood, tlien they
PERUVIAN TRINITY. S73
caused gold and silver to be brought vpon certaine sheepe,
setting vppon them three Images of the Sun, and three of
the thunder, the father, the sonne, and the brother. In
these feasts they dedicated the Yncas children, putting the
Guaras or ensignes vpon them, and they pierced their eares;
then some olde man did whip them with slings, and an-
noynted their faces with blood, all in signe that they should
be true Knights to the Ynca. No stranger might remaine
in Cusco during this moneth, and this feast, but at the end
thereof they entred, and they gave vnto them peeces of the
paste of mays with the blood of the sacrifice, which they
did eate in signe of confederation with the Ynca, as hath
bin said before. It is strange that the Divell after his
manner hath brought a trinitie into idolatry, for the three
images of the Sunne called Apomti, Churunti, and Inti-
quaoqui,^ which signifieth father and lord Sunne, the sonne
Sunne, and the brother Sunne. In the like manor they
named the three Images of Chuquilla, which is the God that
rules in the region of the aire, where it thunders, raines,
and snows. I remember that, being in Chuquisaca, an honour-
able priest shewed me an information, which I had long in
my handes, where it was prooved that there was a certaine
Huaca or Oratory, whereas the Indians did worship an idoll
called Tangatanga, which they saide was one in three, and
three in one. And as this Priest stood amazed thereat, I
saide that the Divell by his infernall and obstinate pride
(whereby he alwayes pretendes to make himselfe God) did
steale all that he could from the trueth, to imploy it in his
lyings and deceits. Comming then to the feast of the
second moneth, which they called Camay,^ besides the sacri-
fices which they made, they did cast the ashes into the river,
following five or six leagues after, praying it to carry them
' Apn-7jnti^ Chief Sun ; Cliuri-ynti^ Son-Sun : Ynti-hucmque ^ Brother-
Sun.
' Canay-quilla. The month from 8th December to 9th January.
Lib. v.
o^7
74 PERUVIAN FESTIVALS.
Lib. v. \j^^q f}^Q gpj^^ fQj, t];,at the Yirochoca sLould there receive this
present. In the third, fourth^ and fift moneth, they offered
a hundred blacke sheepe, speckled, and grey, with many
other things, which I omitte for being too tedious. The
sixt moneth is called Hatimcuzqui Aymuray, which answer-
eth to Maie, in the which they sacrificed a hundred sheepe
more, of all colours; in this moon and moneth, which is
when they bring maize from the fieldes into the house, they
made a feast, which is yet very vsuall among the Indians,
and they doe call it Aymuray.^
This feast is made coraming from the Chacra or farme
vnto the house, saying certaine songG, and praying that the
Mays may long continue, the which they call Mamacora,
They take a certaine portion of the most fruitefull of the
Mays that growes in their farmes, the which they put in a
certaine granary which they doe call Firua, with certaine
ceremonies, watching three nightes ; they put this Mays in
the richest garments they have, and beeing thus wrapped
and dressed, they worship this Firna, and hold it in great
veneration, saying it is the mother of the mays of their
inheritances, and that by this means the mays augments
and is preserved. In this moneth they make a particular
sacrifice, and the witches demaund of this Pima, if it hath
strength sufficient to continue vntill the next yeare; and if
it answers no, then they carry this Maj^s to the farme to
burne, whence they brought it^ according to every man^s
power; then make they another Pima, with the same cere-
monies, saying that they renue it, to the end the feede of
Mays may not perish, and if it answers that it hath force
sufficient to last longer they leave it vntill the next yeare.
This foolish vanitie continueth to this day, and it is very
common amongest the Indians to have these Piruas, and to
make the feast o^ Aymuray, The seaventh moneth answer-
eth to lune, and is axWed Aiicaycuzqid Intwaymd ;^ in it they
* Aymuray, from the middle of May, ^ Yndp Raymi.
PERUVIAN FESTIVALS. o75
made the feast that is called InUraymij in the which they ^"- "^•
sacrificed a hundred sheepe called Guanacos, and saide it
was the feast of the Sunne. In this moneth they made
many Images of Quinua^ wood carved, all attired with rich
garraentes, and they made their dancings which they do
call Gayo, At this feast they cast flowers in the high wayes,
and thither the Indians came painted, and their noblemen
had small plates of golde vpon their beards, and all did sing;
wee must vnderstand that this feast falleth almost at the
same time whenas the Christians observe the solempnitie of
the holy Sacrament, which doth resemble it in some sort,
as in dauncing, singing, and representations. And for this
cause there hath beene, and is yet among the Indians,
which celebrated a feast somewhat like to ours of the holy
Sacrament, many superstitions in celebrating this ancient
feast of Intiraymi. The eight month is called Chahua
Huarquij^ in the which they did burne a hundred sheepe
more, all grey, of the colour of Yiscacha, according to the
former order, which month doth answer to our luly. The
ninth moneth was called Yapaquis,^ in the which they burnt
an hundred sheepe more, of a chesnut colour; and they do
likewise kill and burne a thousand Cuyes,* to the end the
frost, the ayre, the water, nor the sunne should not hurt
their farmes: and this moneth doth answer vnto August.
The tenth moneth was called Goyarami,^ in the which they
burnt a hundred white sheepe that had fleeces. In this
month, which answereth to September, they made the feast
called Situa in this manner: they assembled together the
first day of the moone before the rising thereof, and in
seeing it they cryed aloude, carrying torches in their handes
and saying, '^Let all harme goe away,'' striking one an
1 Quennar (Polyhpis).
2 The next month was Anta-asitua according to other authors.
^ Ccapac-asitua. ■* Guinea pigs.
* Umu-Raymi of Molina and Velasco.
376 PERUVIAN FESTIVALS.
Lib. v. other witli their torches. They that did this were called
Panconcos,^ which being dooiie, they went to the common
bath, to the rivers and fountaines, and every one to his own
bath, setting themselves to drink foure dayes together. In
this moneth the Mama-cunas of the sunne made a great
number of small loaves with the blood of the sacrifices, and
gave a peece to every stranger; yea, they sent to every
Huaca throughout the realme, and to many Curacas, in
signe of confederation and loyaltie to the Sunne and the
Ynca, as hath bin said.
The bathes, drunkennesse, and some relickes of this feast
Situa, remaine even vnto this day, in some places, with the
ceremonies a little different, but yet very secretly, for that
these chiefe and principall feasts have ceased. The eleventh
moneth, Homaraymi PuncJiaiquis ,^ wherein they sacrificed a
hundred sheepe more. And if they wanted water, to pro-
cure raine they set a black sheepe tied in the middest of a
plaine, powring mucli chica about it, and giving it nothing
to eate vntill it rained, which is practised at this day in
many places in the time of our October. The twelfth and
last month was called Ayamarcaj wherein they did likewise
sacrifice a hundred sheepe, and made the feast called Bay-
micantara Rayquis. In this moneth, which aunswered to
our November, they prepared what was necessary for the
children that should be made novices the moneth following;
the children with the old men made a certaine shew, with
rounds and turnings, and this feast was called Ituraynd,
which commonly they make when it raines too much, or too
little, or when there is a plague. Among the extraordinary
feasts, which were very many, the most famous was that
which they called Ytu. This feast Ytu hath no prefixed
time nor season, but in time of necessitie. To prepare
themselves thereunto, all the people fasted two dayes, during
' Panciincif, a torch. See G. de la Vegn^ ii, p. 232.
' Not given by other authorities.
PERUVIAN FESTIVALS. 377
the which they did neyther company with their wives, nor
eate anie meate with salt or garlicke, nor drinke any Chicha.
All did assemble together in one place, where no straunger
was admitted, nor any beast ; they had garments and orna-
ments, which served onely for this feast. They marched
very quietly in procession, their heades covered with their
vailes, sounding of drummes, without speaking one to
another. This continued a day and a night ; then the day
following they daunced and made good cheere for two
dayes and two nights together, saying that their prayer was
accepted. And although that this feast is not vsed at this
day, with all this antient ceremony, yet commonly they
make another which is verie like, which they call Ayma,
with garmentes that serve onely to that end ; and they make
this kind of procession with their Drummes, having fasted
before, then after they make good cheere, which they vsually
doe in their vrgent necessities. And although the Indians
forbeare to sacrifice beasts, or other things publikely, which
cannot be hidden from the Spaniardes, yet doe they still vse
many ceremonies that have their beginnings from these
feasts and auntient superstitions ; for, at this day, they do
covertly make this feast of Ytu, at the dances of the feast
of the Sacrament, in making the daunces of Llama-llama j
and of Guacon, and of others, according to their auntient
ceremonies, wherevnto we ought to take good regarde.
They have made more large Discourses of that which con-
cerueth this matter, for the necessary observation of the
abuses and superstitions the Indians had in the time of
their gentility, to the end the Priestes and Curates may the
better take heede. Let this suffice now to have treated of
the exercise wherewith the divell held those superstitious
nations occupied to the end that against his will wee may
see the difference there is betwixt light and darknes, betwixt
the trueth of Christ and the lies of the Gentiles, although
the ennemy of God and man hath laboured with all his
devises to couuterfet those things which are of God.
Lib. v.
378 MEXICAN FEASTS.
Lib. v.
Chap. xxix. — Of ihe feast of luhilee which the Mexicaines
celebrated.
The Mexicaines have beene no less curious in their feasts
and solemnities, which were of small charge, but of great
effusion of man's blood. Wee have before spoken of the
principall feast of Vitzilipuztli, after the which the feast of
Tezcatlipuca was most solempnized. This feast fell in
Maie, and in their Kalendar they called it Tozcoalt ; it fell
every foure yeeres with the feast of Penaunce, where there
was given full indulgence and remission of sinnes. In
this day they did sacrifice a captive which resembled the
idoll Tezcatlipuca, it was the nineteenth day of Maie ; upon
the even of this feast the Noblemen came to the temple,
bringing a new garment like vnto that of the idoll, the
which the priest put vpon him, having first taken oS" his other
garments, which they kept with as much or more reverence
than we doe our ornaments. There were in the coffers of
the idoll many ornaments, iewelles, eareings, and other
riches, as bracelets and pretious feathers, which served to
no other vse but to be there, and was worshipped as their
god it solfe. Besides the garment wherewith they wor-
shipped the idoll that day, they put vpon him certaine
ensignes of feathers, with fannes, shadowes, and other
things; being thus attired and furnished, they drew the
curtaine or vaile from before the doore, to the ende he
might be seene of all men ; then came forth one of the
chiefe of the temple, attired like to the idoll, carrying
flowers in his hand, and a flute of earth, having a very
sharpe sound, and turning towards the east, he sounded
it, and then looking to the west, north, and south, he did
the like. And after he had thus sounded towards the foure
parts of the world (showing that both they that were -pre-
sent and absent did heare him) hee put his finger into the
MEXICAN FEASTS. 379
aire^ and then gathered vp earth, which he put in his i^"- v.
mouth, and did eate it in signe of adoration. The Hke did
all they that were present, and, weeping, they fell flat to
the ground, invocating the darknesse of the night, and the
windes, intreating them not to leave them, nor to forget
them, or else to take away their lives, and free them from
the labours they indured therein. Theeves, adulterers, and
murtherers, and all others offenders, had great feare and
heaviness whilest this flute sounded, so as some could not
dissemble nor hide their offences. By this meanes they
all demanded no other thing of their god, but to have
their offences concealed, powring foorth many teares, with
great repentaunce and sorrow, offering great store of in-
cense to appease their gods. The couragious and valiant
men, and all the olde souldiers that followed the Arte of
Warre hearing this flute, demaunded with great devotion
of God the Creator, of the Lorde for whome wee live, of the
sunne, and of other their gods, that they would give them
victorie against their ennemies, and strength to take many
captives, therewith to honour their sacrifices. This cere-
monie was doone ten dayes before the feast; During which
tenne dayes the Priest did sound this flute, to the end that
all might do this worship in eating of earth, and demaund
of their idol what they pleased: they every day made their
praiers, with their eyes lift vp to heaven, and with sighs
and groanings, as men that were grieved for their sinnes
and offences. Although this contrition was onelie for feare
of the corporal punishment that was given them, and not
for any feare of the eternall, for they certain ely beleeved there
was no such severe punishment in the other life.
And, therefore, they offered themselves voluntarily to
death, holding opinion that it is to all men an assured rest.
The first day of the feast of this idoll Tezcatlipuca being
come, all they of the Citty^ssembled together in a court to
celebrate likewise the feast of the Kalender, whereof wee
880 MEXICAN FESTIVALS.
^^"- ^- have already spoken^ wliicli v^^as called Toxcoalt, which
signifies a drie thing ; w^hich feast was not made to any
other end, but to demaund rain, in the same manner that
we solemnise the Rogations; and this feast was alwayes in
Maie, which is the time that they have most neede of raine
in those countries. They beganne to celebrate it the ninth
of Maie, ending the nineteenth. The last day of the feast
the Priestes drew foorth a litter well furnished with curtins
and pendants of diverse fashions. This litter had so many
arrnes to holde by as there were ministers to carry it. All
which came foorth besmeered with black and long haire,
halfe in tresses with white strings, and attyred in the livery
of the idoll. Upon this litter they set the personage of the
idoU appoynted for this feast, which they called the resem-
blance of their God Tezcalipuca, and taking it upon their
shoulders they broght it openly to the foote of the stairs;
then came forth the yong men and maidens of the Temple,
carrying a great cord wreathed of chaines of roasted mays,
with the which they invironed the Litter, putting a chaine
of the same about the idolles necke, and a garland vppon
his head. They called the cord Toxcalt, signifying the
drought and barrennesse of the time. The yoong men
came wrapped in redde curtines, w^ith garlands and chains
of roasted mays. The maides were clothed in new garments,
wearing chaines about their neckes of roasted mays; and
vpon their heads myters made of rods covered with this
mays, they had their feete covered with feathers, and
their armes and cheekes painted. They brought much
of this roasted mays, and the chiefe men put it vpon their
heads, and about their neckes, taking flowers in their handes.
The idoll being placed in his litter, they strewed round about
a great quantitie of the bough es of Manguey, the leaves
whereof are large and pricking.
This litter being set vpon the religious mens shoulders,
they carryed it in procession within the circuite of the Court,
MEXICAN FESTIVALS. 381
two Priests marcliing before witli censors, giving often ^^^- ^•
incense to the idol, and every time they gave incense
they lifted vp their armes as high as they could to the
idoll, and to the Sunne, saying, that they lifted vp their
praiers to heaven, even as the smoke ascended on high.
Then all the people in the Court turned round to the place
whither the idoll went, every one carrying in his hand new
cords of the threed of manguey, a fadome long, with a
knotte at the end, and with them they whipped themselves
vppon the shoulders; even as they doe heere vppon holy
Thurseday. All the walles of the Court and battlements
were full of boughs and flowers, so fresh and pleasaunt, as
it did give a great contentment. This procession being
ended, they brought the idoll to his vsual place of abode,
then came a great multitude of people with flowres, dressed
in diverse sortes, wherewith they filled the temple and all
the court, so as it seemed the ornament of an Oratory. All
this was putte in order by the priests, the yoong men ad-
ministring these things vnto them from without. The
chappell or chamber where the idoll remayned was all this
day open without any vaile.
This done, every one came and offered curtines, and pen-
dants of sendal, precious stones, iewells, insence, sweete
wood, grapes, or eares of Mays, quailes : and, finally, all they
were accustomed to offer in such solemnities. Whenas they
offered quailes, (which was the poore mans offering,) they
used this ceremonie, they delivered them to the priestes,
who taking them, pulled off their heads, and caste them at
the foote of the Altare, where they lost their bloud, and so
they did of all other things which were offered. Every one
did offer meate and fruite according to their power, the
which was laid at the foote of the altar, and the Ministers
gathered them vp, and carried them to their chambers. This
solemne offering done, the people went to dinner, every one
to his village or house, leaving the feast suspended vntil
Lib. v.
382 MEXICAN FESTIVALS.
after dinner. In the meanefcirae, the yong men and maidens
of the temple, with their ornaments, were busied to servo
the idoll, with all that was appointed for him to eate : which
meate was prepared by other women, who had made a vow
that day to serve the idoll. And, therefore, such as had
made this vow, came by the point of day, offering them-
selves to the Deputies of the Temple, that they might com-
mand them what they would have done, the which they did
carefully performe. They did prepare such varietie of
meates, as it was admirable. This meate being ready, and
the hour of dinner come, all these virgins went out of the
Temple in procession, every one carrying a little basket
of bread in her hand, and in the other, a dish of these
meates ; before them marched an old man, like to a steward,
with a pleasant habite, he was clothed in a white surples
downe to the calves of his legges ; vpon a doublet with-
out sleeves of red leather, like to a iacket, he carried wings
insteede of sleeves, from the which hung broade ribbands,
at the which did hang a small calibash or pumpion, which
was covered with flowers, by little holes that were made in
it, and within it were many superstitious things. This old
man, thus attyred, marched very humbly and heavily before
the preparation, with his head declining : and comming neere
the foote of the staires, he made a great obeisance and re-
verence. Then going on the one side, the virgins drew
neere with the meate, presenting it in order one after another,
with great reverence. This service presented, the old man
returned as before, leading the virgins into their convent.
This done, the yong men and ministers of the Temple came
forth and gathered vp this meate, the which they carried to
the chambers of the chiefe Priests of the Temple, who had
fasted five daies, eating onely once a day, and they had also
abstained from their wives, not once going out of the Temple
in these five daies. During the which, they did whippe them-
selves rigorously with cordes, they did eate of this divine
MEXICAN FESTIVALS. 383
meate (for so they called it), what they could, neither was it ^^°- "^•
law full for any other to eate thereof. All the people having
dined, they assembled againe in the court to see the ende of
the feast, whither they brought a captive, which by the
space of a whole yeare, had represented the idoll, being
attyred, decked, and honoured as the idoll it selfe, and
doing all reverence vnto him, they delivered him into the
handes of the sacrificers, who at that instant presented them-
selves, taking him by the feete and handes. The Pope did
open his stomacke, and pull out his hart, then did he lift vp
his hands as high as he could, shewing it to the Sunne, and
to the idoll, as hath beene said. Having thus sacrificed him
that represented the idoll, they went into a holy place ap-
pointed for this purpose, whither came the yong men and
virgins of the Temple with their ornaments, the which being
put in order, they danced and sung with drummes and other
instruments, on the which the chiefe Priests did play and
sound. Then came all the Noblemen with ensignes and
ornaments like to the yong men, who danced round about
them. They did not usually kill any other men that day,
but him that was sacrificed, yet every fourth yeare they had
others with him, which was in the yeare of lubile and full
pardons. After Sun set, every one being satisfied with
sounding, eating, and drinking, the virgins went al to their
convent, they took great dishes of earth full of bread mixt
with hony, covered with small panniers, wrought and
fashioned with dead mens heads and bones, and they carried
the collation to the idoll, mounting vp to the court, w^hich
was before the doore of the Oratorio : and having set them
downe, they retired in the same order as they came, the
steward going still before. Presently came forth all the
yong men in order, with canes or reedes in their handes,
who beganne to runne as fast as they could to the toppe of
the staires of the Temple, who should come first to the dishes
of the collation. The Elders or chiefe Priests observed him
Lib. v.
384 MEXICAN FESTIVALS.
that came first, second, third, and fourth, without regarding
the rest. This collation was likewise all carried away by the
yong men as great relicks. This done, the foure that arrived
first were placed in the midst of the Antients of the Temple,
bringing them to their chambers with much honour, prais-
ing them, and giving them ornaments; and from thence
forth they were respected and reverenced as men of marke.
The taking of this collation being ended, and the feast cele-
brated with much ioy and noise, they dismissed all the yong
men and maides which had served the idoll: by meanes
whereof they went one after another, as they came forth.
All the small children of the colledges and schooles were at
the gate of the court, with bottomes of rushes and hearbes
in their hands, which they cast at them, mocking and laugh-
ing, as of them that came from the service of the idoll ;
they had libertie then to dispose of themselves at their
pleasure, and thus the feast ended.
Chap. xxx. — Of the Feast of Marchants, ivhich those of
Cholutecas did celebrate.
Although I have spoken sufficiently of the service the
Mexicaines did vnto their gods, yet will I speak something
of the feast they called Quetzacoaatl, which was the god of
riches, the which was solemnised in this manor. Fortie
daies before the Marchants bought a slave well proportioned,
without any fault or blemish, either of sickenes or of hurte,
whom they did attyre with the ornaments of the idoll, that
he might represent it fortie daies. Before his clothing they
did dense him, washing him twice in a lake, which they
called the lake of the gods; and being purified, they at-
tyred him like the idoll. During these forty daies, hee was
much respected for his sakewhom he represented. By night
they did imprison him (as hath beene said) lest he should
MEXICAN FESTIVALS. 385
flie, and in the morning they took him out of prison, setting ^^^- "'•
him vpon an eminent place, where they served him, giving
him exquisite meates to eate. After he had eaten, they
put a chaine of flowers about his necke, and many nosegaies
in his hands. Hee had a well appointed guard, with much
people to accompany him. When he went through the
Cittie, he went dancing and singing through all the streetes,
that hee might bee knowne for the resemblance of their
god, and when hee beganne to sing, the women and little
children came forth of their houses to salute him, and to
offer vnto him as to their god. Two old men of the
Antients of the Temple came vnto him nine dales before
the feast, and humbling themselves before him, they said
with a low and submisse voyce. Sir, you must vnderstand
that nine dales hence the exercise of dancing and singing
doth end, and thou must then die; and then he must answer
in a good houre.^ They call this ceremony Neyolo Maxilt
Ileztli, which is to say, the advertisement j^ and when they
did thus advertise him, they took very carefull heede whether
hee were sad, or if he danced as ioyfully as he was accus-
tomed, the which if he did not as cheerefully as they de-
sired, they made a foolish superstition in this manor. They
presently tooke the sacrificing rasors, the which they washed
and clensed from the blood of men which remained of the
former sacrifices. Of this washing they made a drinke
mingled with another liquor made of Cacao, giving it him
to drinke ; they said that this would make him forget what
had been said vnto him, and would make him in a manor in-
censible, returning to his former dancing and mirth. They
said, moreover, that he would offer himself cheerfully to
death, being inchanted with this drinke. The cause why
they sought to take from him this heavinesse, was, for that
they held it for an ill augure, and a fore-telling of some
^ " Y el avia de responder que fuesse mucho de norabuena."
!* " El apercebimiento."
C C
386 MEXICAN FESTIVALS.
Lib. V. gyeat harme. The day of the feast being come, after they
had done him much honor, sung, and given him incense, the
sacrificers took him about midnight and did sacrifice him, as
hath been said, offering his heart vnto the Moone, the which
they did aftervvardes cast against the idoll, letting the bodie
fall to the bottome of the staires of the Temple, where such
as had offered him took him vp, which were the Marchants,
whose feast it was. Then having carried him into the
chiefest mans house amongst them, the body was drest with
divers sawces, to celebrate (at the breake of day) the ban-
quet and dinner of the feast, having first bid the idoll good
morrow, with a small dance, which they made whilst the day
did breake, and that they prepared the sacrifice. Then did
all the Marchants assemble at this banket, especially those
which made it a traffioke to buy and sell slaves, who were
bound every yeare to offer one, for the resemblance of their
god. This idoll was one of the most honoured in all the
land ; and therefore the Temple where he was, was of great
authoritie. There were threescore staires to ascend vp vnto
it, and on the toppe was a court of an indifferent largenesse,
very finely drest and plastered, in the midst whereof was a
great round thing like vnto an Oven, having the entrie low
and narrow, so as they must stoope very low that should
enter into it. This Temple had chambers and chappels as
the rest, where there were convents of Priests, yong men,
m aides, and children, as hath been said ; and there was one
Priest alone resident continually, the which they changed
weekely. For although there were in every one of these
temples three or foure Curates or Ancients,^ yet did every
one serve his weeke without parting. His charge that weeke
(after he had instructed the children) was to strike vp a
drum me every day at the Sunne setting, to the same end
that we are accustomed to ring to evensong. This drumme
was such as they might heare the sound thereof through-
» " Curas Di^nidades."
MEXICAN FESTIVALS. 387
out all the partes of the Cittie, then every man shut vp '^^^- v-
his merchandise, and retired vnto his house, and there v^as
so great a silence, as there seemed to be no living crea-
ture in the Tovvne. In the morning whenas the day beganne
to breake, they beganne to sound the drumme, which was
a signe of the day beginning, so as travellers and strangers
attended this siofnall to beo^inne their iournies, for till that
time it was not lawfull to goe out of the cittie.
There was in this temple a court of a reasonable great -
nes, in the which they made great dances and pastimes,
with games or comedies the day of the idolls feast ; for
which purpose there was in the middest of this court a
theatre of thirty foote square, very finely decked and trim-
med, the which they decked with flowers that day, with all
the arte and invention that mought be, beeing invironed
round with arches of divers flowers and feathers, and in some
places there were tied many small birds, connies, and other
tame beasts. After dinner all the people assembled in this
place, and the players presented themselves, and played
comedies : some counterfeit the deafe and the rheumatike,
others the lame, some the blinde, and without handes, which
came to seeke for cure of the idoll : the deafe answered con-
fusedly, the rheumatike did cough, the lame halted, telling
their miseries and griefes, wherewith they made the people
to laugh j others came foorth in the forme of little beasts,
some were attired like snailes, others like toades, and some
like lizardes : then meeting together, they tolde their offices,
and every one retyring to his place, they sounded on small
flutes, which was pleasant to heare. They likewise counter-
feited butterflies and small birdes of diverse colours, and the
children of the Temple represented these formes; then they
went into a little forrest planted there for the nonce, where
the Priests of the Temple drew them foorth with instru-
ments of musicke. In the meane time they vsed many
pleasant speeches, some in propounding, others in defend-
c c 2
388 PROFIT FROM THE STUDY
Lib. V. ij^g^ wherewitli the assistants were pleasantly intertained.
This doone, they made a niaske or mummerie with all these
personages, and so the feast ended : the which were vsually
doone in their principall feasts.
Chap. xxxi. — What lorofit may he clrawne out of this discourse
of the Indians superstitions.
This may suffice to vnderstand the care and paine the In-
dians tooke to serve and honour their Idolls, or rather the
divell : for it were an infinite matter, and of small profit, to
report every thing that hath passed, for that it may seeme
to some needlesse to have spoken thus much : and that it is
a losse of time, as in reading the fables that are fained by
the Romaines of Knighthoode. But if such as holde this
opinion will looke wel into it, they shall finde great differ-
ence betwixt the one and the other : and that it may be
profitable, for many considerations, to have the knowledge
of the customs and ceremonies the Indians vsed : first, this
knowledge is not only profitable, but also necessary in those
countries where these superstitions have been practised, to
the end that Christians, and the maisters of the Law of
Christ, may knowe the errours and superstitions of the An-
tients, and observe if the Indians vse them not at this day,
either secretely or openly. For this cause many learned and
worthy men have written large Discourses of what they
have found : yea, the Provinciall counsells have commaunded
them to write and print them, as they have doone in Lima,
where hath beene made a more ample Discourse than this.
And therefore it importeth for the good of the Indians, that
the Spaniardes being in those parts of the Indies, should
have the knowledge of all these things. This Discourse may
likewise serve the Spaniards there, and all others wherso-
ever, to give infinite thankes to God our Lord, who hath im-
OF INDIAN SUPERSTITIONS. 389
parted so great a benefite vnto vs, giving them his holy
Lawe^ which is most iust, pure_, and altogether profitable.
The which we may well know^ comparing it with the lawes
of Sathan, where so many wretched people have lived so
miserably. It may likewise serve to discover the pride,
envy, deceipts, and ambushes of the Divell, which he prac-
tiseth against those hee holdes captives, seeing on the one
side hee seekes to imitate God, and make comparison with
him and his holy Lawe ; and on the other side, hee dooth
mingle with his actions so many vanities, filthinesse, and
cruelties, as hee that hath no other practise but to sophisti-
cate and corrupt all that is good. Finally, hee that shall see
the darkenes and blindenes wherein so many Provinces and
Kingdoms have lived so long time, yea and wherein many
Nations, and a great part of the world live yet, deceived
with the like trumperies, he can not (if he have a Christians
heart) but give thankes to the high God, for such as hee
hath called out of so great darkenes, to the admirable light
of his Gospel : beseeching the vnspeakeable charitie of the
Creator to preserve and increase them in his knowledge
and obedience, and likewise be grieved for those that follow
still the way of perdition. And that in the end hee beseech
the Father of Pitty to open vnto them the treasures and
riches of lesus Christ, who with the Father and Holy Ghost
raignes in all Ages. Amen.
Lib. V,
THE SIXT BOOKE
Of the Naturall and Morall Historic of the
Indies.
Chap. i. — That they erre in their opinionj which holde the
Indians to want iudgement.
Lib. VI. Having treated before of the religion the Indians vsed_, I
pretend to discourse in this Booke of their customs, policy,
and government, for two considerations : the one is to con-
fute that false opinion many doe commonly holde of them,
that they are a grose and brutish people, or that they have
so little vnderstanding, as they scarce deserve the name of
anie. So as many excesses and outrages are committed
vpon them, vsing them like bruite beasts, and reputing
them vnworthy of any respect ; which is so common and so
dangerous an errour (as they know well who with any zeale
and consideration have travelled amongst them, and that
have seene and observed their secrets and counsells). And
moreover, for the small regard many make of these Indians,
who presume to knowe much, and yet are commonly the
most ignorant and presumptuous. I finde no better meanes
to confound this pernicious opinion, then in relating their
order and maner, whenas they lived vnder their owne lawes,
in which, although they had many barbarous things, and
without ground, yet had they many others worthy of great
admiration, whereby wee may vnderstand, that they were
by nature capable to receive any good instructions : and be-
sides, they did in some thiogs passe many of our common-
AUTHORITIES FOR PERU AND MEXICO. 391
weales. It is no matter of marvell if there were so great ^^^•
and grose faults amongst them, seeing there hath been like-
wise amongst the most famous Law-givers and Philosophers
(yea, without exception, Lycurgus and Plato), and amongest
the wisest common-wealths, as the Romanes and Athenians,
where wee may finde things so full of ignorance, and so
worthy of laughter, as in trueth if the common weales of the
Mexicaines, or of the Yncas, hadde beene knowne in those
times of the Romans and the Greekes, their lawes and
governments had been much esteemed by them. But we at
this day little regarding this, enter by the sword, without
hearing or vnderstanding j perswading our selves that the
Indians affaires deserve no other respect, but as of venison
that is taken in the forrest, and broght for our vse and de-
light.
The most grave and diligent, which have searched and
attained to the knowledge of their secrets, customs, and
antient government, holde another opinion, and admire the
order and discourse that hath been betwixt them. Of which
number is Polo Ondegardo, whome I vsually followe in the
discourse of matters of Peru, and for these of Mexico Juan
de Tobar, who had a Prebend in the Church of Mexico, and
is now of our company of lesuites, who by the commaunde-
ment of the viceroy Don Martin Henriques,^ have made a
diligent and a large collection of the histories of that nation,
and many other grave and notable personages, who, both
by word and writing, have sufficiently informed me of all
those things I shall here set downe. The other end, and
the good which may followe by the knowledge of the lawes,
customes, and government of the Indians, is, that wee may
helpe and governe them with the same lawes and customes,
1 Second son of Don Francisco Henriquez y Almansa, first Marquis
of Alcanizes, by Dona Isabel de Ulloa. He was Viceroy of Mexico from
1568 to 1580, and of Peru from 1581 to 1583. He died at Lima on
March 12 th, 1583.
Lib. VI.
392 MEXICAN CALENDAR.
for that they ought to be ruled according to their owne
lawes and priviledgeSj so farre foorth as they doe not con-
tradict the Lawe of Christ, and his holy Churchy which
ought to be maintained and kept as their fundamental!
lawes. For the ignorance of laws and customes hath bred
many errours of great importance^ for that the Governours
and Judges knowe not well how to give sentence, nor rule
their subjects. And besides, the wrong which is doone
vnto them against reason, it is preiudiciall and hurtefull
vnto our selves ; for thereby they take occasion to abhorre
vs, as men both in good and in evill alwayes contrary vnto
them.
Chap. ii. — Of the method of com^iitmg timOj and the
Kalendar the Mexicaines vsed.
And to beginne then by the division and supputation of
times which the Indians made,wherein truely wee may well
perceive the great signes of their vivacitie and good vnder-
standing. I will first shew in what sorte the Mexicaines
counted and divided their yeere, their moneths, their kalen-
der, their computations, their worldes and ages. They
divided the yeare into eighteene moneths, to which they
gave twentie dayes, wherein the three hundred and three
score days are accomplished, not comprehending in any of
these moneths the five dayes that remaine, and make the
yeare perfect. But they did reckon them aparte, and called
them the dayes of nothing : during the which, the people
did not any thing, neither went they to their Temples, but
occupied themselves only in visiting one another, and so
spent the time : the sacrificers of the Temple did likewise
cease their sacrifices. These five dayes being past, they
beganne the computation of the yeare, whereof the first
nioneth and the beginning was in March, when the leaves
MEXICAN CALENDAR. 393
beganne to growe greene, although they tooke three dayes
of the moneth of February ; for the first day of their yeere
was, as it were,, the sixe and twentie day of February, as
appeareth by their kalender, within the which ours is like-
wise comprehended and contained with a very ingenious
Arte, which was made by the antient Indians that knew the
first Spaniardes. I have scene this Kalender, and have it
yet in my custody, which well deserveth the sight, to vnder-
stand the discourse and industry the Mexicaine Indians had.
Every one of these eighteene monethes had his proper name,
and his proper picture, the which was commonly taken of
the principall feast that was made in that moneth, or from
the diversitie of tymes, which the yeere caused in that
moneth. They had in this Kalender certaine dayes marked
and distinguished for their feasts. And they accompted
their weekes by thirteene dayes, marking the dayes with a
Zero or cipher, which they multiplied vnto thirteene, and
then beganne to count, one, two, etc. They did likewise
marke the yeares of these wheeles with foure signes or
figures, attributing to every yeare a peculiar signe, wherof
one was of a house, an other of a conny, the third of a reedcj
and the fourth of a flint. They painted them in this sort,
noting by those figures the yeare that did runne, saying of
so many houses, of so many flints of such a wheele, hap-
pened such a thing. For we must vnderstand that their
wheele, which was an age, contained foure weekes of yeares,
every weeke containing thirteene yeares, which in all made
fiftie twoo yeares. In the midst of this wheele they painted
a Sunne, from the which went foure beames or lines in
crosse to the circumference of the wheele ; and they made
their course, even as the circumference was divided into
foure equall partes, every one with his line, having a dis-
tinct colour from the rest, and the foure colors were greene,
blew, red, and yellow : every portion of these foure had
thirteene separations which had all their signes or particular
Lib. VI.
394 MEXICAN CALENDAR.
Lib. VI. figures, of a house, a conny, a reed, or a flint, noting by.
every signe a yeare, and vppon the head of this signe they
painted what had happened that yeare.
And therefore I did see in the Kalender mentioned the
yeare when the Spaniards entered Mexico, marked by the
picture of a man clad in red, after our manner, for such was
the habite of the first Spaniard, whome Fernand Cortes sent
at the end of the two and fifty years, which finished the
wheele. They vsed a pleasant ceremony, which was the
last night they didde breake all their vesselles and stuffe,
and put out their fire, and all the lights, saying, that the
worlde should end at the finishing of one of these wheeles,
and it might be at that time : for (said they), seeing the
worlde must then end, what neede is there to provide meate
to eate, and therefore they had no further neede of vessel
nor fire. Ypon this conceit they passed the night in great
feare, saying it might happen there would be no more day,
and they watched very carefully for the day; but when they
saw the day beginne to breake, they presently beat manie
drummes, and sounded cornets, flutes, and other instru-
ments of ioy and gladnesse, saying, that God did yet pro-
long the time with another age, which were fiftie two
yeares. And then beganne an other wheele. The first day
and beginning of this age they took new fire, and bought
new vesselles to dresse their meate, and all went to the
high Priest for this new fire, having first made a solemne
sacrifice, and given thanks for the comming of the day, and
prolongation of an other age. This was their manner of
accounting their j^eares, moneths, weekes, and ages.
PERUVIAN CALENDAR. 395
Chap. hi. — Hoiu the Kings Yncas accounted the yeares and
moneths.
Although the computation of time practised amongst the i^". vi.
Mexicaines bee ingenious enough and certaine, for men that
had no learning ; yet, in my opinion_, they wanted discourse
and consideration, having not grounded their computation
according vnto the course of the moone, nor distributed
their months accordingly, wherein those of Peru have far
surpassed them : for they divided their yeare into as many
dayeSj perfectly accomplished as we do heere, and into
twelve moneths or moones, in the which they imployed and
consumed the eleven daies that remaind of the moone_, as
Polo writes. To make the computation of their yeare sure
and certaine, they vsed this industry j vppon the moun-
taines which are about the citty of Cuzco (where the Kings
Yncas held their court, beeing the greatest sanctuary of
those realm es, and as we should say an other Rome), there
were twelve pillars set in order, and in such distaunce the
one from the other, as every month one of these pillars did
note the rising and setting of the sunne. They called them
Succanga,^ by meanes whereof they taught and shewed the
feasts, and the seasons fitte to sowe and reape, and to do
other things. They did certaine sacrifices to these pillars of
the sunne. Every month had his proper name and peculiar
feasts. They beganne the yeare by January, as wee doe.
But since, a king Ynca called Pachacutec,^ which signifies
a reformer of time, beganne their yeare by December,
by reason (as I coniecture) that then the Sunne returneth
^ Sucanca. Suca is a ridge or furrow in Quichua. Sucani, "I make
furrows". Sucanca is the future passive participle, "that which is about
to be furrowed"; possibly referring to the alternate light and shadow
caused by the sunlight between the pillars ; making the ground appear
in ridges. — See G. cle la Vega^ i, p. 178.
Pacha, time ; Cutini^ I overturn, or reform.
2
396 LETTERS UNKNOWN IN AMERICA.
Lib. VI. fpom tliG last poynt of Capricorne^ which is the tropike
neerest vnto them. I know not whether the one or the
other have observed any Bisexte, although some holde the
contrary. The weekes which the Mexicaines did reckon
were not properly weekes, being not of seaven dayes : the
Yncas likewise made no mention thereof, which is no
wonder, seeing the account of the weeke is not grounded
vpon the course of the sunne, as that of the yeare, nor of
the moone, as that of the month ; but among the Hebrewes
it is grounded vpon the creation of the world_, as Moses re-
portethj and amongest the Greekes and Latins vpon the
number of the seven planets, of whose names the dayes of
the weeke have taken their denomination; yet was it much
for those Indians, being men without bookes and learning,
to have a yeare, seasons, and feasts, so well appoynted as I
have sayd.
Chap. iv. — That no nation of the Indies hath heene found to
have had the vse of letter's.
Letters were invented to signifie properly the words we
do pronounce, even as woordes (according to the Philoso-
pher) are the signes and demonstrations of mans thoughtes
and conceptions. And both the one and the other (I say
the letters and words) were ordained to make things
knowne. The voyce for such as are present, and letters for
the absent, and such as are to come. Signes and markes
which are not properly to signifie wordes but things, can-
not be called, neyther in trueth are they letters, although
they be written, for wee can not say that the Picture of the
sunne be a writing of the sunne, but onely a picture ; the
like may be saide of other signes and characters, which have
no resemblance to the thing, but serve onely for memorie :
for he that invented them did not ordaine them to signifie
LETTERS UNKNOWN IN AMERICA. 397
wordeSj but onely to note the thing : neyther do they call ^^^- "^^•
those characters^ letters_, or writings, as indeede they are
notj but rather ciphers or remembraunces, as those be
which the Spherists or Astronomers do vse, to signifie
divers signes or planets of Mars, Venus, lupiter, etc.
Such characters are ciphers, and no letters : for what
name soever Mars may have in Italian, French, or Spanish,
this character doth alwaies signifie it, the which is not found
in letters : for, althogh they signify the thing, yet is it by
meanes of words. So, as they which know not the tongue,
vnderstand them not : as, for example, the Greekes nor the
Hebrews, cannot conceive what this word Sol doth signifie,
although they see it written ; for that they vnderstand not
the Latine word : so as writing and letters are onely prac-
tised by them, which signifie words therewith. For if they
signifie things mediately, they are no more letters nor writ-
ings, but ciphers and pictures : whereby we may observe
two notable things. The one, that the memory of histories
and antiquities may bee preserved by one of these three
meanes, either by letters and writings, as hath beene vsed
amongst the Latinos, Greekes, Hebrews, and many other
Nations; or by painting, as hath beene vsed almost through-
out all the world, for it is said in the second Nicene Coun-
sell, '^ Painting is a booke for fooles which cannot reade^^
or by ciphers and characters, as the cipher signifies the
number of a hundred, a thousand, and others, without
noting the word of a hundred or a thousand. The other
thing we may observe thereby is that which is propounded
in this chapter, which is, that no Nation of the Indies dis-
covered in our time, hath had the vse of letters and writ-
ings, but of the other two sortes, images and figures. The
which I observe, not onely of the Indies of Peru and New
Spaine, but also of lappon and China. And although this
may seeme false to some, seeing it is testified by the dis-
courses that have beene written, that there are so great
398 CHINESE WRITINGS.
Lib. VI. Libraries and Vniversities in China and lappon, and that
mention is made of their Chapas, letters, and expeditions,
yet that which I say is true^ as you may vnderstand by the
discourse following.
Chap. v. — Of the fashion of Letters and Boolces the Ghinois
vsed.
There are many which thinke, and it is the most common
opinion, that the writings which the Chinois vsed are letters,
as those we vse in Europe, and that by them wee may write
wordes and discourses, and that they only differ from our
letters and writings in the diversitie of characters, as the
Greekes differ from the Latines, and the Hebrews from the
Chaldees. But it is not so, for they have no Alphabet,
neither write they any letters, but all their writing is no-
thing else but painting and ciphering : and their letters
signifie no partes of distinctions as ours do, but are figures
and representations of things, as of the Sunne, of fire, of a
man, of the sea, and of other things. The which appears
plainely, for that their writings and chapas are vnderstood
of them all, although the languages the Chinois speake are
many and very different, in like sort as our numbers of
ciphers are equally vnderstoode in the Spanish, French, and
Arabian tongues : for this figure 8, wheresoever it be, sig-
nifies eight, although the French call this number of one
sort and the Spaniards of another. So as things being of
themselves innumerable, the letters likewise or figures
which the Chinois vse to signifie them by, are in a maner
infinite : so as he that shall reade or write at China (as the
Mandarins doe) must know and keepe in memory at the
least fourescore and five thousand characters or letters, and
those which are perfect herein know above sixscore thou-
sand. A strange and prodigious thing ; yea, incredible, if
CHINESE WRITINGS. 399
it were not testified by men worthy of credite, as the fathers '^^^- ^^'
of our company wlio are there continually, learning their
language and writing, wherein they have studied day and
night above tenne yeares, with a continuall labour for the
charitie of Christ and the desire of salvation of soules, pre-
vailed in them above all this labour and difEcultie. For
this reason, learned men are so much esteemed in China, for
the difficultie there is to conceive them : and those only
have tlie offices of Mandarins, Governours, Judges, and
Captaines. For this cause the fathers take great pains to
instruct their children to reade and write. There are many
of these schooles where the children are taught, where the
masters teach them by day, and the fathers at home by
night : so as they hurt their eyes much, and they whippe
them often with reedes, although not so severely as they doe
offenders. They call it the Mandarin tongue, which requires
a maas age to be conceived. And you must vnderstand
that, although the tongue which the Mandarins speake bee
peculiar and different from the Vulgar, which are many,
and that they studie it, as they doe Latine and Greeke
heere, and that the learned only throghout all China do
vnderstand it : so it is notwithstanding that all that is
written in it, is vnderstood in all tongues : and although all
the Provinces doe not vnderstand one another by speaking,
yet by writing they doe : for there is but one sort of figures
and characters for them all, which signifie one thing, but
not the same word and prolation : seeing (as I have said)
they are onely to denote the things and not the worde, as
we may easily vnderstand by the examples of numbers in
ciphering. And they of lappon and the Chinois do reade
and vnderstand well the writings one of another, although
they be divers Nations and different in tongue and lan-
guage. If they speake what they reade or write, they
should not bee vnderstood. Such are the letters and bookes
the Chinois vse, being so famous in the world. To make
Lib. VI.
400 CHINESE WRITINGS.
their impressions_, they grave a boord or plank with the
figures they will prints then do they stampe as many leaves
of paper as they lift_, of the same sort as they have made
their pictures_, the which are graven in copper or wood.
But a man of iudgement may aske, how they could signifie
their conceptions by figures, which approached neere or re-
semble the thing they would represent ? As to say, the
Sunne heats, or that he hath beheld the Sunne, or the day
is of the Sunne. Finally, how it were possible to denote
by the same figures the case, the coniunction, and the ar-
ticles, which are in many tongues and writings ? I answer
therevnto, that they distinguish and signifie this varietie by
certaine points, strikes, and dispositions of the figure. But
it is difficult to vnderstand how they can write proper
names in their tongue, especially of strangers, being things
they have never scene, and not able to invent figures proper
vnto them. I have made triall thereof, being in Mexico
with certain Chinois, willing them to write this proposition in
their language, ^^ Joseph de Acostahas come from Peru", and
such like : wherevpon the Chinois was long pensive, but in
the end hee did write it, the which other Chinois did after
reade, although they did vary a little in the pronountiation
of the proper name. For they vse this devise to write a
proper name : they seeke out something in their tongue
that hath resemblance to that name, and set downe the
figure of this thing. And as it is difficult among so many
proper names to finde things to resemble them in the pro-
lation, so is it very difficult and troublesome to write such
names. Ypon this purpose, father Alonso Sanchez told vs
that when he was in China, being led into divers Tribunall
seates, from Manderin to Manderin, they were long in put-
ting his name in writing in their chapas, yet in the end
they did write it after their manor, and so ridiculously, that
they scarce came neere to the name : and this is the fashion
of letters and writings which the Chinois vsed. That of
CHINESE LEARNING. 401
the lapponois approclied very neere^ althougli they affirme
that the Noblemen of lappon that came into Europe did
write all things very easily in their language were they of
our proper names : yea, I have had some of their writings
shewed me, whereby it seemes they should have some
kinde of letters, although the greatest part of their writings
be by the characters and figures, as hath bin saide of the
Chinois.
Lib. VI.
Chap. vi. — Of the Schooles and Vniversities of GJivna.
The fathers of our Company say that they have not scene
in China any great schooles or vniversities of Philosophic,
and other natural! sciences, beleeving there is not any, but
that all their studie is in the Mandarin tongue, which is
very ample and hard, as I have said ; and what they studie
bee things written in their owne tongue, which be histories
of sects, and opinions, of civill lawes, of morall proverbes,
of fables, and many other such compositions that depend
thereon. Of divine sciences they have no knowledge,
neither of naturall things, but some small remainders of
straied propositions, without art or methode, according to
everie mans witte and studie. As for the Mathematikes, they
have experience of the celestiall motions, and of the starres.
And for Phisicke, they have knowledge of herbs, by means
wherof they cure many diseases, and vse it much. They
write with pencils, and have many books written with the
hand, and others printed, but in a bad order. They are
great plaiers of comedies, the which they perform with
great preparation of theaters, apparel, bels, drums, and
voices. Some fathers report to have seen comedies which
lasted ten or twelve dayes and nights, without any want of
comedians, nor company to beholde them. They doe make
many different sceanes, and whilst some act the others feede
and sleep. In these comedies they do commonly treate of
D D
402 MEXICAN WRITING.
Lib. VI. morall tilings, and of good examples, intermingled with
pleasant devices. This is the summe of that which our
men report of the letters and exercises of them of China,
wherein wee must confesse to be much wit and Industrie.
But all this is of small substance, for in effect all the
knowledge of the Chinois tendes onely to read and write,
and no farther, for they attaine to no high knowledge.
And their writing and reading is not properly reading and
writing, seeing their letters are no letters that can represent
wordes, but figures of innumerable things, the which cannot
be learned but in a long time, and with infinite labour.
But in the end, with all their knowledge, an Indian of Peru
or Mexico that hath learned to read and write knowes more
than the wisest Mandarin that is amongst them : for that
the Indian with foure and twentie letters which he hath
learned will write all the wordes in the world, and a
Mandarin with his hundred thousand letters will be troubled
to write some proper name, as of Martin, or Alonso, and
with greater reason he shall be lesse able to write the
names of things he knowes not. So as the writing in
China is no other thing but a maner of painting or
ciphring.
Chap. vii. — Of the fashion of letters and ivritings which the
Mexicaines used.
We finde amongest the Nations of New Spaine a great
knowledge and memorie of antiquitie, and therefore,
searching by what meanes the Indians had preserved their
Histories and so many particularities, I learned that although
they were not so subtill and curious as the Chinois and
those of lappon, yet had they some kinde of letters and
bookes amongest them whereby they preserved (after their
manner) the deeds of their predecessors. In the province
of Yu-catan, where the Bishopricke is, which they call of
MEXICAN PICTURE-WRITING. 403
Honduras^ there were bookes of the leaves of trees, folded
and squared after their manner, in the which the wise
Indians contained the distribution of their times, the
knowledge of the planets, of beasts and other naturall
things, with their antiquities, a thing full of great curiositie
and diligence. It seemed to some Pedant that all this was
an inchantment and magicke arte, who did obstinately
maintaine that they ought to be burnt, so as they were
committed to the fire. Which since, not onely the Indians
found to be ill done, but also the curious Spaniards, who
desired to know the secrets of the countrey. The like hath
happened in other things, for our men thinking that all was
but superstition have lost many memorialls of ancient and
holy things, which might have profited much. This pro-
ceedeth of a foohsh and ignorant zeale, who not knowing,
nor seeking to knowe what concerned the Indians, say
preiudicately that they are all but witchcrafts, and that all
the Indians are but drunkards, incapable to know or learne
anything. For such as would be curiously informed of
them have found many things worthy of consideration.
One of our company of lesuites, a man very witty and wel
experienced, did assemble in the province of Mexico the
Antients of Tescuco, of Talla, and of Mexico, conferring at
large with them, who shewed unto him their books, histories
and kalenders, things very woorthy the sight, bicause they
had their figures and hierogliphicks, whereby they repre-
sented things in this manner : Such as had forme or figure
were represented by their proper images, and such as had
not any were represented by characters that signified them,
and by this meanes they figured and writ what they would.
And to observe the time when anything did happen they
had those painted wheeles, for every one of them contained
an age, which was two and fifty years, as hath beene said ;
and of the side of those wheeles they did paint with figures
and characters, right against the yeare, the memorable
D D 2
Lib, VI.
404 MrrxicAN records.
^''"- ^'^- tilings that happened therein. As they noted the yeare
whenas the Spaniards entred their Countrey, they painted
a man with a hatte and a red ierkin vpon the signe of the
reede, which did rule then, and so of other accidents. Bat
for that their writings and characters were not sufficient, as
our letters and writings be, they could not so plainly
expresse the words, but onely the substance of their
conceptions. And forasmuch as they were accustomed to
reherse Discourses and Dialogues by heart, compounded by
their Oratours and auntient Rhethoritians, and many Chapas
made by their Poets (which were impossible to learne by
their Hierogliphickes and Characters), the Mexicaines were
very curious to have their children learne those dialogues
and compositions by heart. For the which cause they had
Schooles, and as it were Colledges or Seminaries, where
the Auncients taught children these Orations, and many
other things, which they preserved amongst them by
tradition from one to another as perfectly as if they had
beene written ; especially the most famous Nations had a
care to have their children (which had any inclination to be
E/hetoritians, and to practise the office of Orators) to learne
these Orations by heart : So as when the Spaniardes came
into their Countrey, and had taught them read and write
our letters, many of the Indians then wrote these Orations,
as some grave men doe witnes that had read them. Which
I say, for that some which shall haply reade these long and
eloquent discourses in the Mexicaine Historic will easilie
beleeve they have beene invented by the Spaniardes, and
not really taken and reported from the Indians. But having
knowne the certaine trueth, they will give credite (as reason
is) to their Histories. They did also write these Discourses
after their manner, by Characters and Images : and 1 have
scene, for my better satisfaction, the Pater nostcr, Ave
Mariaj and Simholl, and the generall confession of our faith,
written in this manner by the Indians.
V^ MEXICAN RECORDS. 405
And in trueth, whosoever shall see them will wonder Ltu.vi.
thereat. For to signifie these words^ I, a sinner, do confesse
mj self, they painted an Indian vpon his knees at a re-
ligious mans feete^ as one that confesseth himselfe : and
for this, to God most mighty, they painted three faces^ with
their crownes, like to the Trinitie ; and to the glorious
Virgine Marie, they painted the face of our Lady, and halfe
the body of a little childe ; and for S. Peter and S. Paul,
heads with crowns, and a key with a sword ; and whereas
images failed, they did set characters, as " Wherein I have
sinned, etc.^^, whereby wee may conceive the quickenesse
of spirite of these Indians, seeing this manner of writing
of our prayers and matters of faith hath not been taught
them by the Spaniards^ neither could they have done it if
they had not had an excellent conception of that was taught
them. And I have scene in Peru a confession of sinnes,
brought by an Indian, w^ritten in the same sorte, with pic-
tures and characters, painting every one of the tenne Com-
mandments after a certaine manner where there were cer-
taine markes like ciphers, which were the sinnes he had
committed against the Commandments. I nothing doubt
but if any of the most sufficient Spaniards were imployed
to make memorialles of the like things by their images and
markes, they would not attaine vnto it in a whole year^ no
not in tenne.
Chap. viii. — Of Registers and the manner of reckordng which
the Indians of Peru vsed.
Before the Spaniards came to the Indies,, they of Peru
had no kinde of writing, either letters, characters, ciphers,
or figures, like to those of China and Mexico : yet pre-
served they the memory of their Antiquities, and maintained
an order in all their affairs of peace, warre, and pollicie, for
that they were carefull obKServers of traditions from one to
40G PERUVIAN QUIPUS.
Lib. VI. another, and the young ones learned, and carefully kept, as
a holy thing, what their superiors had tolde them, and
taught it with the like care to their posteritie. Besides
this diligence, they supplied the want of letters and writings,
partely by painting, as those of Mexico (although they of
Peru were very grosse and blockish^), and partely, and most
commonly by Quippos.^ These Quippos are memorialls or
or registers, made of bowes,^ in the which there are diverse
knottes and colours, which do signifie diverse things, and
it is strange to see what they have expressed and repre-
sented by this meanes : for their Quippos serve them
insteede of Bookes of histories, of lawes, ceremonies, and
accounts of their affaires. There were officers appointed to
keepe these Quippos, the which at this day they call Qui-
pocamayos, the which were bound to give an account of
everything, as Notaries and Registers doe heere. There-
fore they fully believed them in all things, for, according
to the varietie of business, as warres, pollicie, tributes,
ceremonies and landes, there were sundry Quippos or
braunches, in every one of the which there were so many
knottes, little and great, and strings tied vnto them, some
red, some greene, some blew, some white ; and finally, such
diversitie, that even as wee derive an infinite number of
woordes from the foure and twenty letters, applying them
in diverse sortes, so doe they draw innumerable woordes
from their knottes and diversitie of colours. Which thing
they doe in such a manner that if at this day in Peru, any
Commissary come at the end of two or three years to take
information vppon the life of any officer, the Indians come
with their small reckonings verified, saying, that in such a
village they have given him so many egges which he hath
not payed for, in such a house a henne, in another two bur-
dens of grasse for his horse, and that he hath paied but
* " Muy grosseras y toscas." ^ tt Quipus."
' '•' KamaleB," rope's-ends.
PERUVIAN QUIPUS. 407
SO much mony, and remaineth debtor so much. The proofe
being presently made with these numbers of knottes and
handfulls of cords, it remaines for a certaine testimony and
register. I did see a handfull of these strings, wherein an
Indian woman carried written a generall confession of all
her life, and thereby confessed herselfe as well as I could
have done it in written paper. I asked her what those
strings meant that differed from the rest : she answered mee
they were certaine circumstaunces which the sin required to
be fully confessed. Besides these Quippos of thred, they have
an other, as it were a kinde of writing with small stones,
by means whereof they learne punctually the words they
desire to know by heart. It is a pleasant thing to see the
olde and the impotent (with a wheele made of small stones)
learne the Pater iioster, with another the Ave Maria, with
another the Creede ; and to remember what stone signifies
"Which was conceived by the holy-ghost^', and which
" Suffered under Pontius Pilate".
It is a pleasant thing to see them correct themselves
when they doe erre ; for all their correction consisteth
onelv in beholding* of their small stones. One of these
wheeles were sufficient to make mee forget all that I do
knowe by heart. There are a great number of these wheeles
in the Church-yards for this purpose. But it seemes a
kinde of witchcraft, to see an other kinde of Quippos, which
they make of graines of Mays, for to cast vp a hard
account, wherein a good Arithmetitian would be troubled
with his penne to make a division ; to see how much every
one must contribute : they do drawe so many graines from
one side, and adde so many to another, with a thousand
other inventions. These Indians will take their graines,
and place five of one side, three of another, and eight of
another, and will change one graine of one side, and three
of another. So as they finish a certaine account, without
erring in any poynt : and they sooner submitte themselves
Ltu. VI.
Lib. VI.
408 VARIOUS WAYS OF WRITING.
to reason by these Quippos, what every one ought to pay,
then we can do with the penne. Hereby we may judge if
they have any understanding, or be brutish : for my parte,
I think they passe vs in those things where vnto they do
apply themselves.
Chap. ix. — Of the order the Indians liolde in their
ivritings.
It shalbe good to adde heerevnto what we have observed
touching the Indians writings ; for their manner was not to
write with a continued line, but from the toppe to the
bottome, or in circle-wise. The Latines and Greeks do
write from the left hand vnto the right, which is the vulgar
and common manner we do vse. The Hebrewes contrari-
wise beganne at the right to the left, and therefore their
bookes beganne where ours did end. The Chinois write
neither like the Greeks nor like the Hebrews, but from the
toppe to the bottome, for as they be no letters but whole
wordes, and that every figure and character signifieth a
thing, they have no neede to assemble the parts one with
an other, and therefore they may well write from the toppe
to the bottome. Those of Mexico for the same cause did
not write in line, from one side to another, but contrarie to
the Chinois, beginning below, they mounted vpward. They
vsed this manor of writing, in the account of their daies,
and other things which they observed. Yet when they did
write in their wheels or signes, they beganne from the mid-
dest where the sun was figured, and so mounted by their
yeeres vnto the round and circumference of the wheele. To
conclude, wee finde four different kindes of writings, some
writte from the right to the left, others from the left to the
right, some from the toppe to the bottome, and others from
tlio foote to the toppe, wherein wee may discover the
diversity of mans judgment.
USE OF MESSENGERS. 409
Chap. x. — IIoio the Indians dispatched their Messengers,
To finish the maner they had of writings some may^ with lib- vi.
reason^ doubt how the Kings of Mexico and Peru had
intelligence from all those realmes that were so great, or by
what means they could dispatch their affaires in Court,
seeing they had no vse of any letters, nor to write pacquets :
wherein we may be satisfied of this doubt, when we under-
stand that by wordes, pictures, and these memorialles, they
were often advertised of that which passed. For this cause
there were men of great agilitie, which served as curriers,
to goe and come, whom they did nourish in this exercise of
running from their youth, labouring to have them well
breathed, that they might runne to the toppe of a high hill
without wearines. And therefore in Mexico they gave the
prize to three or foure that first mounted vp the staires of
the Temple, as hath beene said in the former Booke. And
in Cusco, when they made their solemne feast of Capa-
crayme, the novices did runne who could fastest vp the
rocke of Yanacauri. And the exercise of running is gen-
erally much vsed among the Indians. AVhenas there
chaunced any matter of importaunce, they sent vnto the
Lordes of Mexico, the thing painted, whereof they would
advertise them, as they did when the first Spanish ship ap-
peared to their sight, and when they tooke Toponchan. In
Peru they were very curious of footemen, and the Ynca had
them in all parts of the realme as ordinary Posts, called
Chasquisj whereof shall be spoken in his place.
Chap. xi. — Of the manner of governementj and of the Kings
which the Indians had.
It is apparant that the thing wherein these barbarous
people shew their barbarisme, was in their gov^ernement
Lib. VI.
410 GOVERNMENT IN VARIOUS COUNTRIES.
and manner of commaund : for the more that men approch
to reason, the more milde is their governement, and lesse
insolent ; the Kings and Lords are more tractable, agreeing
better with their subiects, acknowledging them equall in
nature, though inferiour in duetie and care of the common-
wealth. But amongst the Barbarians all is contrary, for
that their government is tyrannous, vsing their subiects like
beasts, and seeking to be reverenced like gods. For this
occasion many nations of the Indies have not indured any
Kings or absolute and soveraigne Lords, but live in commi-
nalities, creating and appointing Captains and Princes for
certaine occasions onely, to whome they obey during the
time of their charge, then after they returne to their former
estates. The greatest part of this new world (where there
are no settled kingdoms, nor established commonweales,
neither princes nor succeeding kings) they governe them-
selves in this manner, although there be some Lordes and
principall men raised above the common sort. In this sorte
the whole Countrey of Cliille is governed, where the Arau-
canos, those of Tucapel and others, have so many yeeres
resisted the Spaniards. And in like sort all the new
kingdome of Granada, that of Guatemala, the Ilandes, all
Florida, Brassill, Luson, and other countries of great cir-
cuite : but that in some places, they are yet more barbarous,
scarcely acknowledging any head, but all commaund and
governe in common, having no other thing, but wil, violence,
unreason, and disorder, so as he that most may, most com-
maunds. At the East Indies there are great kingdomes,
well ordered and governed, as that of Siam, Bisnaga,^ and
others, which may bring to field when they please, a hun-
dred or two hundred thousand men.
As likewise the Kingdome of China, the which in great-
nes and power surpasseth all the rest, whose kings (as they
report) have continued above two thousand yeares, by
" Bijaynagar."
MEXICO AND PERU COMPARED. 411
meanes of their good order and government. But at the ^^^•
West Indies they have onely found two Kingdomes or
setled Empires, that of the Mexicanes in New Spaine, and
of the Yncas in Peru. It is not easie to be said which of
the two was the mightiest Kingdome, for that Mote9uma
exceeded them of Peru in buildings and in the greatnes of
his court : but the Yncas did likewise exceede the Mexi-
caines in treasure^ riches, and greatnes of Provinces. In
regarde of antiquitie, the Monarchic of the Yncas hath the
advantage, although it be not much, and in my opinion they
have been equal! in feates of armes and victories. It is
most certaine that these two Kingdomes have much ex-
ceeded all the Indian Provinces discovered in this new
world, as well in good order and government as in power
and wealth, and much more in superstition and service of
their idolls, having many things like one to an other. But
in one thing they differed much, for among the Mexicaines
the succession of the kingdome was by election, as the
Empire of the Romans, and that of Peru was hereditarie,
and they succeeded in bloud, as the Kingdomes of Fraunce
and Spaine. I will therefore heereafter treate of these two
governments (as the chiefe subiect and best knowne amongst
the Indians) being fit for this discourse, leaving many
tedious details which are not of importance.
Chap. xii. — Of the Government of the Kings Yncas of Peru.
The Ynca which ruled in Peru being dead, his lawfuU
Sonne succeeded him, and so they held him that was borne
of his chiefe wife, whome they called Coya. The which they
have alwaies observed since the time of an Ynca, called Yu-
panqui, who married his sister : for these Kings held it an
honour to marry their sisters. And although they had
other wives and concubines, yet the succession of the King-
412 YNCA CEREMONIES.
^^^^' dome appertained to the son of the Coya. It is true, that
when the King had a legitimate brother_, he succeeded be-
fore the Sonne, and after him his nephew and sonne to the
first. The Curacas and Noblemen held the same order of
succession in their goods and officeSa And after their
manor they made excessive ceremonies and obsequies for
the dead. They observed one custome very great and full
of statOj that a King which entred newly into his King-
dome should not inherite any thing of the movables^ imple-
ments, and treasure of his predecessour^ but hee must
furnish his house new, and gather together gold, silver, and
other things necessarie, not touching any thing of the de-
ceased, the which was wholly dedicated for his Oratorio or
Guaca, and for the entertainment of the family he left, the
which with his of-spring was alwayes busied at the sacri-
fices, ceremonies, and service of the deceased King : for,
being dead, they presently held him for a god, making
sacrifices vnto him, images, and such like. By this meanes,
there was infinite treasure in Peru : for every one of the
Yncas had laboured to have his Oratorio and treasure sur-
passe that of his predecessors. The marke or ensigne,
whereby they tooke possession of the realme, was a red
rowle of wooll, more fine then silke, the which hung in the
middest of his forehead : and none but the Ynca alone
might weare it, for that it was as a Crowne and royall
Diademe : yet they might lawfully weare a rowle hanging
on the one side, neere vnto the eare, as some Noblemen did,
but onely the Ynca might carry it in the middest of his
forehead. At such time as they tooke this roule or wreathe,
they made solemne feasts and many sacrifices, with a great
quantity of vessells of gold and silver, a great number of
small formes or images of sheep, made of gold and silver,
great abundance of the stuffes of Cumbi,-^ well wrought,
both fine and coarser, many shells of the sea of all sortes,
» " Ccompr\ fine cloth.
YNCA GOVERNMENT. 413
many feathers^ and a thousand sheepe, wliicli must be of ^^^- '^^•
divers colours. Then the chiefe Priest tooke a yong child
in his handeSj of the age of six or eight yeares, pronouncing
these wordes with the other ministers speaking to the image
of Yiracocha, '^ Lord^ we offer this vnto thee, that thou maiest
maintaine vs in quiet, and helpe vs in our warres, maintaine
our Lord the Ynca in his greatnes and estate^ that hee may
alwaies increase, giving him much knowledge to governe
vs.^^ There were present at this ceremony and oath men of
all partes of the Realme, and of all Guacas and Sanctuaries.
And without doubt, the affection and reverence this people
bare to their Kings Yncas, was very great, for it is never
found that any one of his subiectes committed treason
against him, for that they proceeded in their governments,
not only with an absolute power, but also with good order
and iustice, suffering no man to be oppressed. The Ynca
placed governours in divers Provinces, amongst the which
some were superiors, and did acknowledge none but him-
selfe, others were of lesse commaund, and others more par-
ticular, with so goodly an order, and such gravitie, as no
man durst bee drunke nor take an eare of Mays from his
neighbour. These Yncas held it for a maxime, that it was
necessary to keepe the Indians alwaies in action : and there-
fore we see it to this day, long cawseis and workes of great
labour, the which they say were made to exercise the In-
dians, lest they should remaine idle. When he conquered
any new Province, he was accustomed presently to send the
greatest part, and the chiefe of that country into other
Provinces, or else to his Court, and they call them at this
day in Peru Mitimas, and in their places hee sent others of
the Nation of Cusco, especially the Orejones, which were as
Knights of an ancient house. They punished faultes rigor-
ously. And therefore such as have any vnder standing
heereof hold opinion that there can be no better govern-
ment for the Indians, nor more assured then that of the
Yncas.
414 DIVISIONS OF THE YNCA EMPIRE.
Chap. xiii. — Of the distribution the Yncas made of their
Vassals.
^^°' ^^' To relate more particularly what I have spoken before,
you must vnderstand that the distribution which the Yncas
made of their vassals was so exact and distinct, as he might
governe them all with great facilitie, although his real me
were a thousand leagues long : for having conquered a
Province, he presently reduced the Indians into Towns and
Comminalties, the which he divided into bandes, hee ap-
pointed one to have the charge over every ten Indians, over
every hundred another, over every thousand another, and
over ten thousand another, whom they called Hunu, the
which was one of the greatest charges. Yet above all
in every Province, there was a Governour of the house of
the Yncas, whom all the rest obeyed, giving vnto him
every yeare in particular account of what had passed, that
is, of such as were borne, of those that were dead, and of
their troups and graine. The Governors went every yeare
out of Cusco, where they remained, and returned to the
great feast of Raymi, at the which they brought the tribute
of the whole Realme to the Court; neither might they enter
but with this condition. All the Kingdome was divided
into foure partes, which they called Tahuantinsuyu, that is,
Chinchasuyu, Collasuyu, Antisuyu, and Cuntisuyu, accord-
ing to the foure waies which went from Cusco, where the
Court was resident, and where the generall assemblies of
the realme were made. These waies and Provinces being
answerable vnto them, were towards the foure quarters of
the world, Collasuyu to the South, Chinchasuyu to the
North, Cuntisuyu to the West, and Antisuyu to the East.
In every towne and village there were two sortes of people,
which were of Hanansuyu and Urinsuyu, which is as much
to say, as those above, and those below. When they com-
YNCA EDIFICES. 4l5
manded any worke to be done, or to furnish any thing to
the Ynca, the officer knew presently how much every Pro-
vince, Towne, and Family, ought to furnish, so as the divi-
sion was not made by equall portions, but by cottization,^
according to the qualities and wealth of the Countrie. So
as for example, if they were to gather a hundred thousand
Fanegas of Mays, they knew presently how much every
Province was to contribute, were it a tenth, a seventh, or a
fifb part. The like was of Townes and Villages and Ayllus
or Linages. The Quipocamayos, which were the officers and
intendants, kept the account of all with their strings and
knottes, without failing, setting downe what every one had
paied, even to a hen, or a burthen of wood, and in a mo-
ment they did see by divers registers what every one ought
to pay.
Lib. VI.
Chap. xlv. — Of the Edifices and maner of building of the
Yncas.
The Edifices and Buildings which the Yncas made in
temples, fortresses, waies, countrie houses, and such like,
were many in number, and of an excessive labour, as doth
appeare at this day by their mines and fragments that
have remained, both in Cusco, Tiahuanaco,^ Tambo,^ and
other places, where there are stones of an vnmeasurable
greatnes, so as men cannot conceive how they were
cut, brought, and set in their places. There came great
numbers of people from all Provinces to worke in these
buildings and fortresses, which the Ynca caused to be
made in Cusco, or other partes of the Eealme. As these
workes were strange, and to amaze the beholders, wherein
they vsed no mortar nor ciment, neither any yron, or
Steele, to cut, and set the stones in place. They had
no engines or other instruments to carie them, and yet
1 '' For quotas." 2 n Tiahuanaco." ^ '' Ollantay-tampu."
416 YNCA BRIDGES.
Lib. VI. were they so artificially wrought_, that in many places they
could not see the ioyntes, and many of these stones are so
big, that it were an incredible thing if one should not see
them. At Tiahuanaco I did measure a stone of thirty eight
foote long, of eighteene broade, and six thicke. And in the
wall of the fortresse of Cusco, which is of masonry/ there are
stones of a greater bignes. And that which is most strange,
these stones being not cut nor squared to ioyne, but con-
trariwise, very vnequall one with another in forme and
greatnes, yet did they ioyne them together without ciment
after an incredible manor. All this was done by the force
of men who endured their labour with an invincible patience.
For to ioyne one stone with an other, they were forced to
handle and trie many of them often, being vneven. The
Ynca appoynted every yeare what numbers of people should
labour in these stones and buildings, and the Indians
made a division araongest them, as of other things, so as no
man was oppressed. Although these buildings were great,
yet were they commonly ill appoynted and vnfit, almost
like to the mosques or buildings of the Barbarians.
They could make no arches in their edifices, nor mortar
or cyment to builde them withall. When they saw arches
of wood built vpon the river of Xauxa, the bridge being
finished, and the wood broken downe, they all beganne to
runne away, supposing that the bridge, which was of stone,
should presently fall; but when they found it to stand
firme, and that the Spaniards went on it, the Cacique saide
to his companions, *^ It is reason we should serve these
men, who in trueth seeme to be the children of the Sunne^''.
The bridges they made were of reedes plaited, which they
tied to the bankes with great stakes, for that they could not
make any bridges of stone or wood. The bridge which is at
this day vpon the Desaguadero or river draining the great lake
Chucuito^ in Collao is admirable, for the course of that water
1 " Maraposteria." ^ Or Titicaca.
TRIBUTE TO THE YNCAS. 417
is SO deep as they can not settle any foundation, and so broade ^^^- ^^•
that it is impossible to make an arch to passe it, so as it
was altogether impossible to make a bridge eyther of wood
or stone. But the wit and industry of the Indians invented
a meanes to make a firme and assured bridge, being only
of strawe, which seemeth fabulous, yet is it very true. For
as we have said before, they did binde together certaine
bundles of reedes, and weedes^ which do grow in the lake
that they call Totora, and being a light matter that sinkes
not in the water, they cast it vppon a great quantity of
reedesj then, having tied those bundles of weedes to either
side of the river, both men and beasts goe over it with
ease. Passing over this bridge I wondered, that of so
common and easie a thing, they had made a bridge, better,
and more assured than the bridge of boates from Seville
to Triana. I have measured the length of this bridge, and,
as I remember, it was above three hundred foote, and they
say that the depth of this current is very great; and it
seemes above, that the water hath no motion, yet they say,
that at the bottome it hath a violent and very furious
course. And this shall sufl&ce for buildings.
Chap. xv. — Of the Yncas revenues, and the order of Tributes
they imposed vjjon the Indians,
The Yncas riches was incomparable, for although no king
did inherite the riches and treasure of his predecessor,
yet had he at commaund all the riches of his realmes,
as well silver and gold, as the stuffe of Cumbi,^ and cattell
wherein they abounded, and their greatest riches of all, was
their innumerable number of vassals, which were all.
imployed as it pleased the King. They brought out of every
province what he had chosen for tribute. The Chichas sent
him sweete and rich woods; the Lucanas sent bearers to
* Fine cloth.
E E
Lib. VI.
418 YNCA REVENUE AND TEIBUTE.
cany his Litter ; the Chumbivilcas, dauncers ; and so the
other provinces sent him what they had of aboundaunce,
besides their generall tribute, wherevnto every one contri-
buted. The Indians that were appointed to that end, labored
in the mines of golde and silver, which did abound in Peru,
whom the Ynca intertained with all they needed for their
expences ; and whatsoever they drew of gold and silver, was
for him. By this meanes there were so great treasures in
this kingdome, as it is the opinion of many, that what fell
in the handes of the Spaniardes, although it were very
much, as wee know, was it not the tenth part of that which
they hid and buried in the ground, the which they could
never discover, notwithstanding all the search covetousnesse
had taught them. But the greatest wealth of these barba-
rous people, was, that their vassalles were all slaves, whose
labour they vsed at their pleasure ; and that which is ad-
mirable, they imployed them in such sorte, as it was no
servitude vnto them, but rather a pleasing life. But to
vnderstand the order of tributes which the Indians paj^ed
vnto their Lordes, you must knowe, that when the Ynca
conquered any citties, he divided all the land into three
partes ; the first was for religion and ceremonies, so as the
Pachayachachi,^ which is the Creator, and the Sunne, the
Chuquilla, which is the Thunder, the Pachamama, and the
dead, and other Guacas and sanctuaries, had every one their
proper lands, the fruits whereof were spoyled and con-
sumed in sacrifices, and in the nourishing of ministers and
priests ; for there were Indians appoynted for every Guaca,
and sanctuary, and the greatest parte of this revenue was
spent in Cusco, where was the vniversall and generall sanc-
tuarie, and the rest in that cittie where it was gathered ;
for that after the imitation of Cusco, there were in every
Citie, Guacas, and Oratories of the same order, and with
the some functions, which were served after the same
1 Teacher of the World
YNCA REVENUE AND TRIBUTE. 419
manner and ceremonies to that of Cusco, which is an admi-
rable thing, and they have found it by proofe in above a
hundred townes, some of them distant above two hundred
leagues from Cusco. That which they sowed or reapt vpon
their land, was put into houses, as granaries, or store-houses,
built for that effect, and this was a great parte of the Tribute
which the Indians payed. I can not say how much this
parte amounted vnto, for that it was greater in some partes
than in other, and in some places it was in a manner all ;
and this parte was the first they put to profite. The second
parte of these lands and inheritances was for the Ynca,
wherewith he and his householde were entertained, with his
kinsfolks, noblemen, garrisons and souldiers. And therefore
it was the greatest portion of these tributes, as it appeareth
by the quantity of golde, silver, and other tributes, which
were in houses appoynted for that purpose, being longer
and larger than those where they keepe the revenues of the
Guacas. They brought this tribute very carefully to Cusco,
or vnto such places where it was needefuU for the souldiers,
and when there was store, they kept it tenne or twelve yeares,
vntill a time of necessitie. The Indians tilled and put to
profite the Yncas lands, next to those of the Guacas ; during
which time they lived and were nourished at the charges of
the Ynca, of the Sunne, or of the Guacas, according to the
land they laboured. And the olde men, women, and sicke
folkes were reserved and exempt from this tribute, and
although whatsoever they gathered vpon those lands were
for the Ynca, the Sunne, or the Guacas, yet the property
appertayned vnto the Indians and their successors. The
third parte of these landes were given by the Ynca for the
comminaltie, and they have not yet discovered whether this
portion were greater or lesse than that of the Ynca or
Guacas. It is most certaine they had a care and regarde that
it should be sufficient for the nourishment of the people.
No particular man possessed any thing proper to himself of
E K 2
Lib. vr.
Lin. VI.
420 FLOCKS OF LLAMAS.
this third portion, neither did the Indians ever possesse
any, if it were not hy speciall grace from the Ynca ; and
yet might it not be engaged nor divided amongest his
heires. They every yeare divided these landes of the com-
minaltie, in giving to every one that which was needful for
the nourishment of their persons and families. And as the
familie increased or diminished^ so did they encrease or
decrease his portion^ for there were measures appoynted for
every person. The Indians payed no tribute of that which
was apportioned vnto them ; for all their tribute was to till
and keepe in good order the landes of the Ynca, and the
Guacas, and to lay the fruits thereof in their store-houses.
When the yeare was barren, they gave of these fruits thus
reserved to the needy, for that there is alwayes supera-
boundance. The Ynca did likewise make distribution of
the cattell as of the landes, which was to number and divide
them ; then to appoynt the pastures and limites, for the
cattell belonging to the Guacas, and to the Ynca, and to
everie Towne; and therefore one portion of their revenues
was for religion, another for the Ynca, and the third for the
Indians themselves. The like order was observed among
the hunters, being forbidden to take or kill any females.
The flocks of the Yncas and Guacas were in great numbers
and very fruitfull; for this cause they called them Capacllama;
but those of the common and publike, were few in number
and of small valew, and therefore they called them Huaccha-
llama.^ The Ynca took great care for the preservation of
cattell, for that it hath beene, and is yet, all the wealth of
the Countrey, and as it is sayd, they did neither sacrifice
any females, nor kill them, neither did they take them when
they hunted. If the mange or the scurvie, which they call
Carachi, take any beast, they were presently commaunded
to bury it quicke, lest it should infect others. They did
sheare their cattell in their season, and distributed to every
9 Ccapac, rich ; Huaccha^ poor.
ARTS AND HANDICRAFTS. 421
one to spinne and weave stufies for the service of bis familie. ^^^ '^^
They had searchers to examine if they did employ them-
selves in these workes, and to punish the negligent. They
made stuffes of the wool! of the Yucas cattell, for him and
for his familv, one sorte verv fine, which thev called Cumbi,
and another grosser, which they likewise called Abasca.^
There was no certaine number of these stufies and orarments
appointed, but what was delivered to every one. The wooU
that remayned was put into the storehouses, whereof the
Spaniards found them ful, and with all other things neces-
sary for the life of man. There are few men of iudgement
but doe admire at so excellent and well settled a governe-
ment, seeing the Indians (being neyther religious, nor
christians) maintained after their manner, this perfection,
nor to holde any private property, and to provide for all
necessities, also maintaining with such aboundance matters
of religion, and that wliich concerned their King and Lord.
Chap. xvi. — Of arts and offices lohich the Indians did
exercise.
The Indians of Peru had one perfection, which was to
teach their young children all artes and occupations neces-
sary for the life of man ; for that there were no particular
ti'ades-men, as amongst vs, taylors, shoemakers, weavers,
and the rest, but evervone learned what was needefull for
their persons and houses, and provided for themselves. All
coulde weave and make their garments, and therefore the
Ynca by furnishing them with wooll, gave them clothes.
Every man could till the ground, and put it to profite, with-
out hyring of any labourers. All built their owne houses,
and the women vnderstoode most, they were not bred vppe
in delights, but served their husbands carefully. Other arts
and trades wliich were not ordinary and common for the life
» Ana^ca^ cotirse cloth.
422 HEAD-DKESSES.
Lib. VI. of man, had their proper companies and workmen, as gold-
smiths, painters, potters, watermen, and players of instru-
ments. There were also weavers and workemen for exqui-
site workes, which the noblemen vsed : but the common
people, as hath beene said, had in their houses all things
necessary, having no need to buy. This continues to this
day, so as they have no need one of another for things
necessary : touching his person and famil}^, as shoes and
garments, and for their house, to sowe and reape, and to
make yron woorkes, and necessary instruments. The Indians
heerein doe imitate the institutions of the ancient monks,
whereof is intreated in the lives of the Fathers. In trueth it
is a people not greatly covetous, nor curious, so as they are
contented to passe their time quietly, and without doubt, if
they made choise of tbis manner of life, by election, and not
by custome or nature, we may say that it was a life of great
perfection, being apt to receive the doctrine of the holy
Gospel, so contrary an enimy to pride, covetousness, and
delights. But the preachers give not alwayes good example,
according to the doctrine they preach to the Indians. It is
woorthy observation, although the Indians be simple in their
manner and habites, yet do wee see great diversitio
amongest the provinces, especially in the attire of their
head, for in some places they carried a long piece of cloth
which went often about, in some places a large piece of cloth,
which went but once about, in some parts as it were little
morters or hattes, in some others as it were high and round
bonets, and some like the bottome of sacks, with a thousand
other differences. They had a straight and inviolable lawe,
that no man might change the fashion of the garments of
his province, althougb hee went to live in another. This
the Ynca beld to be of great importance for the order and
good governement of his realme, and they doe observe it to
this day, though not with so great a care as they were
accustomed.
POSTS AND MESSENGERS. 423
Chap. xvti. — Of the Posts and Ghasc[uis the Indians
did' vse.
There were many Posts and couriers whicli the Ynca i^i^- ^i.
maintained throughout his realme^ whom they called Chas-
quisj and they carried commaundements to the Governours,
and returned their advises and advertisements to the Court.
These Chasquis were placed at every topu, which was a
league and a halfe one from an other in two small houses^
where were foure Indians. These were furnished by different
districts, and changed monthly. Having received the packet
or message,, they ranne with all their force vntill they had
delivered it to the other Chasquis, such as were to runne
being ready and watchfull. They ran fifty leagues in a day
and nighty although the greatest parte of that countrey be
very rough. They served also to carry such things as the
Ynca desired to have with speede. Therefore they had always
sea-fish in Cusco^ of two dayes old or little more^ although it
were above a hundred leagues off. Since the Spaniardes
entred, they have vsed of these Chasquis in time of seditions,
whereof there was great need. Don Martin/ the Viceroy,
appoynted ordinary posts at every foure leagues, to carry
and recarry despatches, which were very necessary in this
realme, though they run not so sv^^iftly as the auntients did,
neither are there so many, yet they are well payed, and
serve as the ordinaries of Spaine, delivering letters, which
they each carry foure or five leagues.
Chap, xviii. — Of the iustice, laiues, and punishments ivhich the
Yncas have established, and of their marriages.
Even as such as had done any good service in warre, or
in the governement of the common-weale, were honoured
' Don Martin Henriquez.
424 YXCA MARRIAGES.
Lib. VI. Q^^^ recompensed with publike charges, with lands given
them in proper, with armes and titles of honour, and in
marrying wives of the Yncas linage, even so they gave
severe punishments to such as were disobedient and offend-
ers. They punished murther, theft, and adultery, with
death, and such as committed incest with ascendants or de-
scendants in direct line, were likewise punished with death.
But they held it no adultery to have many wives or con-
cubines, neyther were the women subject to the punishment
of death, being found with any other, but onely she that
was the true and lawfull wife, with whome they contracted
marriage ; for they had but one whome they did wed and
receive with a particular solempnitie and ceremony, which
was in this maner : the bridegroome went to the bride^s
house, and led her from thence with him, having first put
an otoja'^ vppon her foote. They call the shooe which they
vse in those partes, otoja, beiug open like to the Francis-
can Friars. If the bride were a mayde, her otoja was of
wooll, but if she were not, it was of reedes. All his other
wives and concubines did honour and serve this as the law-
ful wife, who alone, after the decease of her husband, caried
a mourning weed of blacke, for the space of a yeare ;
neither did she marry vntil that time were past ; and
commonly she was yonger than her husband. The Ynca
himselfe, with his own hand, gave this woman to his
Governors and Captains ; and the Governors or Caci-
ques assembled all the young men and ma3^des, in
one place of the City, where they gave to everyone his
wife with the aforesaid ceremony, in putting on the otoja,
and in this manner they contracted their mariiages. If this
woman were found with any other man than her husband,
shoe was punished with death, and the adulterer likewise :
and although the husband pardoned them, yet were they
punished, although dispensed withall froui death. They
' Usuta, a sandal.
YNCA MARRIAGES. 425
inflicted the like punishment on him that did commit ^^^- '^^•
incest with his mother, grandmother, daughter, or grand-
childe : for it was not prohibited for them to marry together,
or to have of their other kinsfolkes for concubines ; onely
the first degree was forbidden. Neither did they allow the
brother to have the company of his sister, wherein they of
Peru were very much deceived, beleeving that the Yncas
and noble men might lawfully contract marriage with their
sisters, yea, by father and mother : for in trueth it hath
beene alwayes helde vnlawfull among the Indians, and for-
bidden to contract in the first degree ; which continued
vntill the time of Tupac Ynca Yupanqui, father to Guayna-
capa, and grandfather to Atahualpa, at such time as the
Spaniards entered Peru, for that Tupac Ynca Yupanqui, was
the first that brake this custome, marrying with Mamaocllo,
his sister by the father's side, decreeing that the Yncas
might marry with their sisters by the father's side, and no
other.
This he did, and by that marriage he had Guaynacapa,^
and a daughter called Coya Cusilimay. Finding himselfe at
the poynt of death, he commaunded his children, by father
and mother, to marry together, and gave permission to the
noble men of his country, to marrie with their sisters by
the fathers side. And for that this marriage was vnlawfal,
and against the lawe of nature, God would bring to an end
this kingdome of the Ynca, during the raigne of Huascar
Ynca, and Atahualpa Ynca, which was the fruite that sprang
from this marriage. Whoso will more exactly vnderstand
the manner of marriages among the Indians of Peru, lette
him reade the treatise Polo hath written, at the request of Don
leronimo Loaifa, Archbishop of the city of the Kings : which
Polo made a very curious search, as he hath doone of divers
other things at the Indies. ^.I.he which importes much to be
knowne to avoyde the errour and inconveniences where into
^ Huayna Ccapac.
42G INDIAN GOVERNMENTS.
Lib. VI. many fall (which know not which is the lawfull wife or the
concubine among the Indians) causing the Indian that is
baptized to marry with his concubine^ leaving the lawfull
wife : thereby also wee may see the small reason some have
had, that pretended to say^ that wee ought to ratifie the
marriage of those that were baptized, although they were
brother and sister. The contrary hath beene determined by
the provinciall Synode of Lyma, with much reason, seeing
among the Indians themselves this kind of marriage is vn-
lawful.
Chap. xix. — Of the Oviginall of the Yncas, Lords of Peru,
with their Conquests and Victories.
By the commandement of Don Philip the Catholike
King, they have made the most diligent and exact search
that could be, of the beginning, customes, and priviledges
of the Yncas, the which was not so perfectly done as was
desired, for that the Indians had no written recordes; yet
they have recovered that which I shall write by meanes of
their Quippos and registers. First, there was not in Peru
in olde time, any King or Lord to whome all obeyed, but
they were comminalties, as at this day there be in the
realme of Chile, and in a maner, in all the Provinces
which the Spaniards have conquered in those west-
erne Indies, except the realme of Mexico. You must
therefore understand that they have found three maner of
governments at the Indies. The first and best was a
Monarchic, as that of the Yncas, and of MoteQuma, although
for the most part they were tyrannous. The second was of
Comminalties, where they were governed by the advice
and authoritie of many, which are as it were Counsellors.
These in time of warre made choice of a Captaine, to whome
a whole Nation or Province did obey; and in time of peace
every Towne or Comminaltie did rule and governe them-
EXTENT OF THE YNCA EMPIRE. 427
selves, having some chiefe men whom the vulgar did re- ^^^- ^'^^
spect, and sometimes, though not often, some of them
assemble together about matters of importance to consult
what they should thinke necessary. The thirde kinde of
government is altogether barbarous, composed of Indians
without law, without King, and without any certaine place
of abode, but go in troupes like savage beasts. As farre
as I can conceive, the first inhabitants of the Indies were
of this kinde, as at this day a great part of the Bresillians,
Chiriguanas, Chunchos, Yscaycingas, Pilco^ones, and the
greatest part of the Floridians, and all the Chichimecos in
New Spaine. Of this kind the other sort of government by
Comminalfcies was framed by the industrie and wisedome of
some amongst them, in which there is some more order,
holding a more staied place, as at this day those of Arau-
cano, and of Tucapel in Chile, and in the new kingdome .
of Granada, the Moscas, and the Otomites in New Spaine;
and in all these there is lesse fiercenes and incivilitie, and
much more quiet then in the rest. Of this kinde, by the
valure and knowledge of some excellent men, grew the
other government more mightie and potent, which did in-
stitute a Kingdome and Monarchic. It appeares by their
registers, that their government hath continued above three
hundred yeares, but not fully foure, although their Seig-
niorie for a long time was not above five or six leagues
compasse about the Citty of Cusco. Their originall and
beginning was in the valley of Cusco, where by little and
little they conquered the lands which we called Peru, pass-
ing beyond Quito, vnto the river of Paste towardes the
North, stretching even vnto Chile towardes the South,
which is almost a thousand leagues in length. It extended
in breadth vnto the South Sea towardes the west, and vnto
the great champains which are on the other side of the
Andes, where at this day is to be scene the castell which is
called the Pucara of the Ynca, the which is a fortresse
428 ORIGIN OF THE YNCAS.
Lib. VI. i3uiit ^qj. i]^q defence of the frontire towards the East.
The Yncas advanced no farther on that side, for the abound-
ance of water, marshes, lakes, and rivers, which ranne in
those partes. These Yncas passed all the other Nations of
America in policy and government, and much more in
valour and armes, although the Canaris which were their
mortall enemies, and favoured the Spaniardes, would never
confesse it, nor yeelde them this advantage; so as even at
this day, if they fall into any discourse or comparisons, and
that they be a little chafed and incensed, they kill one
another by thousands vpon this quarrel, which are the most
valiant, as it hath happened in Cusco. The practice and
meanes which the Yncas had to make themselves Lords of
all this Countries was in faining that since the generall
deluge, whereof all the Indians have knowledge, the world
had beene preserved, restored, and peopled by these Yncas,
and that seven of them came foorth of the cave of Pacari-
tambo, by reason whereof, all other men owed them tribute
and vassalage, as their progenitors. Besides, they said
and affirmed, that they alone held the true religion, and
knew how God should be served and honoured; and for this
cause they should instruct all men. It is a strange thing
the ground they give to their customes and ceremonies.
There were in Cusco above foure hundred Oratories, as in a
holy land, and all places were filled with their mysteries.
As they continued in the conquests of Provinces, so they
brought in the like ceremonies and customes. In all this
realm e the chiefe idol they did worship was Yiracocha
Pachayachachic,^ which signifies the Creator of the world,
and after him the Sunne. And therefore they said, that
the Sunne received his vertue and being from the Creator,
as the other idolls do, and that they were intercessors to
him.
1 Teacher of the world ; from Yachani^ I teach.
LINEAGE OF THE YNCAS. 429
Chap. xx. — Of the first Ynca, and his Successors.
The first man which the Indians report to be the begin-
ning and first of the Yncas was Mangocapa,^ whom they
imagine, after the deluge, to have issued forth of the cave
of Tambo, which is from Cusco about five or six leagues.
They say that he gave beginning to two principall races or
families of the Yncas, the one was called Hanancusco, and
the other Yrincusco : of the first came the Lords which sub-
dued and governed this Province, and the first whom they
make the head and stem of this family was called In-
garoca,^ who founded a family or Ayllu, as they call them,
named Yicaquirao.^ This, although he were no great
Lord, was served notwithstanding in vessell of gold and
silver. And dying, he appointed that all his treasure should
be implo^^ed for the service of his body, and for the feeding
of his family. His successor did the like : and this grew
to a generall custome, as I have said, that no Ynca might
inherite the goods and house of his predecessor, but did
build a new pallace. In the time of this Ingaroca the In-
dians had images of gold ; and to him succeeded Yaguar-
guaque,* a very old man : they say he was called by this
name, which signifies teares of blood, for that being once
vanquished and taken by his enemies, for griefe and sorrow
he wept blood. He was buried in a village called Paulo,
which is vpon the way to Omasuyo: he founded a family
called Ayllu-panaca.^ To him succeeded his soune Viracocha
Ynca, who was very rich and made much vessell of gold
and silver : hee founded the linage or family of Cocopanaca.
Gonzalo Pizarre sought out his body, for the report of the
great treasure was buried with him, who, after he had cruelly
^ Manco Ccapac. 2 Ynca Rocca.
3 Vicaquirau; from quirau^ a cradle. — See G. de la Vega^ ii, p. 531.
* Yahuar-hiaccac, literally, " Weeping blood".
^ See G. de la Vega^ ii, p. 531.
Lib. VI.
Lib. VI.
430 YNCA TRADITIONS.
tormented many Indians, in the end he found it in Xaquixa-
guana, whereas they said Pizarro was afterwards vanquished,
taken, and executed by the President Gasca. Gonzalo
Pizarro caused the body of Yiracocha Ynca to be burnt; the
Indians did affcerwardes take the ashes, the which they pre-
served in a small vessell, making great sacrifices therevnto,
vntill Polo did reforme it, and other idolatries which they
committed vpon the bodies of their other Yncas, the which
hee suppressed with an admirable diligence and dexterity,
drawing these bodies out of their hands, being whole, and
much imbalmed, whereby he extinguished a great number
of idolatries which they committed. The Indians tooke it
ill that the Ynca did intltle himselfe Yiracocha, which is
the name of their God : and he to excuse himselfe, gave
them to vnderstand that the same Yiracocha appeared to
him in his dreame, commanding him to take this name. To
him succeeded Pachacuti Ynca Yupanqui, who was a very
valiant conquerour, a great politician, and an inventor of a
great part of the traditions and superstitions of their idol-
atrie, as I will presently shew.
Chap. xxi. — Of Pachacuti Ynca Yupanqui j and what hap-
pened in his time vnto Guaynacapa.
Pachacuti Ynca Yupanqui reigned seventy yeares, and
conquered many Countries. The beginning of his conquests
was by meanes of his eldest brother, who, having held the
government in his fathers time, and made warre by his con-
sent, was over-thrown e in a battle against the Chancas, a
Nation which inhabites the valley of Andahuaylas thirty or
forty leagues from Cusco, vpon the way to Lima. This
elder brother thus defeated, retyred himselfe with few men.
The which Ynca Yupanqui, his yonger brother seeing, de-
vised and gave forth that, being one day alone and melan-
YNCA TRADITIONS. 431
cholie, Yiracoclia, the Creator^ spake to him, complaining
that though he were vniversall Lord and Creator of all
things, and that hee had made the heaven, the Sunne, the
world, and men, and that all was vnder his command, yet
did they not yeelde him the obedience they ought, but
contrariwise did equally honour and worship the Sunne,
Thunder, Earth, and other things, which had no virtue but
what he imparted vnto them : giving him to vnderstand,
that in heaven where hee was, they called him Yiracocha
Pachayachachic, which signifieth vniversall Creator ; and to
the end the Indians might beleeve it to be true, he doubted
not although he were alone, to raise men vnder this title,
which should give him victory against the Chancas^ al-
though they were then victorious, and in great numbers ;
and make himselfe Lord of those realmes, for that he would
send him men to his aide invisibly, whereby he prevailed in
such sort, that vnder this colour and conceit, hee beganne
to assemble a great number of people, whereof he made a
mighty armie, with the which he obtayned the victorie,
making himselfe Lord of the whole Realme, taking the
government from his father and brother. Then afterwardes
he conquered and overthrew the Chancas, and from that
time commanded that Yiracocha should be held for vniver-
sall Lord, and that the images of the Sunne and Thunder
should do him reverence and honour. And from that time
they beganne to set the image of Yiracocha above that of
the Sunne and Thunder, and the rest of the Guacas. And
although this Ynca Yupanqui had given farmes, landes, and
cattell to the Sunne, Thunder, and other Guacas, yet did he
not dedicate any thing to Yiracocha, saying that he had no
neede, being vniversall Lord and Creator of all things. He
informed his souldiers after this absolute victory over the
Chancas, that it was not they alone that had conquered
them, but certaine bearded men, whome Yiracocha had sent
him, and that no man might see them but himselfe, which
Lib. VI,
432 MUMMIES OF THE YNCAS.
Lib. vr. y^Q^Q siiicG corivcrted into stones ; it was therefore neces-
sary to seeke them out whome he would know well. By
this meanes hee gathered together a multitude of stones in
the mountaines, whereof he made choice^ placing them for
Guacas, or IdoUs, they worshipped and sacrificed vnto ; they
called them Pururaucas/ and carried them to the warre with
great devotion, beleeving for certaine that they had gotten
the victory by their help. The imagination and fiction of
this Ynca was of such force, that by the means thereof hee
obtained goodly victories. He founded the family called
Ynacapanaca, and made a great image of golde, which hee
called Ynti-yllapa, which hee placed in a brancard of golde,
very rich, and of great price, of the which gold the Indians
took great store to carry to Caxamarca for the libertie and
ransome of Atahualpa, when the Marquis Francisco Pizarro
held him prisoner. The Licentiate Polo found in his house
in Cusco his servants and Mamaconas^ which did service to
his memorie, and found that the body had beene transported
from Patallacta to Totocachi_, where the Spaniards have
since founded the parish of San Bias. This body was so
whole and preserved with a certaine rosin, that it seemed
alive; he had his eyes made of a fine cloth of golde, so arti-
ficially set, as they seemed very naturall eyes ; he had a
blowe with a stone on the head, which he had received in
the warres ; he was all grey and hairy, having lost no more
haire than if hee had died but the same day, although it
were seaventy and eight yeares since his decease. The
foresaid Polo sent this body with some others of the Yncas
to the cittie of Lima, by the viceroyes commaund, which
was the Marquis of Canete, and the which was very neces-
sary to root out the idolatry of Cusco. Many Spaniards
have scene this body with others in the hospital of San
Andres, which the Marquis built, but they were much de-
cayed. Don Fehpe Caritopa, who was grand-child or
* See G. de la Vega, ii, p. 57.
THE YNCA HUAYNA CCAPAC. 433
great grand-childe to this Ynca, affirmed that the treasure ^^^- ^'•
he left to his family was great, which should be in the
power of the Yauaconas, Amaru, Titu, and others. To this
Ynca succeeded Tupac Ynca Yupanqui, to whom his son of
the same name succeeded, who founded the family called
Ccapac Sylla,^
Chap. xxii. — Of the greatest and most famous Ynca called
Giiaynacapa.
To this latter Ynca succeeded Guaynacapa, which is to
say, a yoong man, rich and valiant,^ and so was he in trueth
more than any of his predecessors, or successors. Hee was
very wise, planting good orders thorowout his whole realrne,
hee was a bold and resolute man, valiant, and very happy in
warre. Hee therefore obtained great victories, and extended
his dominions much farther then all his predecessors had
done before him ; he died in the realme of Quito, the which
he had conquered, foure hundred leagues distant from his
court. The Indians opened him after his decease, leaning
his heart and entrailes in Quito ; the body was carried to
Cusco, the which was placed in the renowmed temple of the
Sunne. We see yet to this day many cawseries, buildings,
fortresses, and notable workes of this king : hee founded
the familie of Tumi-bamba. This Guaynacapa was wor-
shipped of his subjects for a god, being yet alive, as the olde
men affirme, which was not doone to any of his predeces-
sours. When he died, they slew a thousand persons of his
householde, to serve him in the other life, all which died
willingly for his service, insomuch that many of them offered
themselves to death, besides such as were appoynted : his
riches and treasure was admirable. And forasmuch as the
^ See G. de la Vega, ii, p. 531.
2 Hiiayna, young ; Ccapac, rich.
F P
J-rn. VT.
434 ARRIVAL OF SPANIARDS.
Spaniards entred soone after his death, the Indians laboured
much to conceale all, although a great parte thereof was
carried to Caxamarca, for the ransome of Atahualpa, his
Sonne. Some woorthy of credite affirme that he hadde
above three hundred sonnes and grand-children in Cusco.
His mother, called Maraaocllo, was much esteemed amongst
them. Polo sent her body, with that of Guaynacapa, very
well imbalmed, to Lima, rooting out infinite idolatries. To
Guaynacapa succeeded in Cusco, a sonne of his called Titu-
cusi-hualpa. who since was called Huascar Ynca ; his body
was burned by the captaines of Atahualpa, who was likewise
Sonne to Guaynacapa, and rebelled in Quito against his
brother, marching against him with a mighty armie. It
happened that Quisquis and Chilicuchi, captains to Ata-
hualpa, took Huascar Ynca in the cittie of Cusco, being
received for Lord and king (for that hee was the lawful!
successor) which caused great sorrowe throughout all his
kingdome, especially in his Court. And as alwayes in their
necessities they had recourse to sacrifices, finding themselves
vnable to set their Lord at libertie, as well for the great
power the captaines had that tooke him, as also, for the
great army that came with Atahualpa, they resolved (some
say by the commaundement of this Ynca) to make a great
and solemne sacrifice to Viracocha Pachayachachic, which
signifieth vniversall Creator, desiring him, that since they
coulde not deliver their Lord, he would send men from
heaven to deliver him from prison. And as they were in
this great hope, vpon their sacrifice, news came to them,
that a certaine people come by sea, was landed, and had
taken Atahualpa prisoner. Heerevpon they called the
Spaniards Viracochas, beleeving they were men sent from
God, as well for the small number they were to take
Atahualpa in Caxamarca, as also, for that it chaunced after
their sacrifice done to Viracocha, and thereby they began
to call the Spaniards Viracochas, as they doe at this day.
THE LAST YNCAS. 435
And in truth, if we had given them good example, and such i^i^. vi.
as we ought, these Indians had well applied it, in saying
they were men sent from God. It is a thing very well
worthy of consideration, how the greatnesse and providence
of God, disposed of the entry of our men at Peru, which
had beene impossible, were not the dissention of the two
brethren and their partisans, and the great opinion they
hadde of christians, as of men sent from heaven, bound
(by the taking of the Indians countrey) to labour to winne
soules vnto Almightie God.
Chap, xxiii. — Of the lost Successors Yncas.
The rest of this subiect is handled at large by the Spanish
Writers in the histories of the Indies, and for that it is not
my purpose, I will speake only of the succession of the
Yncas. Atahualpa being dead in Caxamarca, and Huascar
in Cusco, and Francisco Pizarro with his people having seised
on the realme, Mancocapa, sonne to Guaynacapa, besieged
them in Cusco very straightly ; but in the end he abandoned
the whole countrey, and retired himselfe to Vilca-bamba,
where he kept himselfe in the mountaines, by reason of the
rough and difficult access, and there the successors Yncas
remained, vntill Amaru, w^ho was taken and executed in the
market place of Cusco, to the Indians incredible griefe and
sorrow, seeing iustice doone vpon him publiquely whome
they helde for their Lorde.^ After which time, they im-
prisoned others of the lineage of these Yncas. I have
knowne Don Carlos, grand-childe to Guaynacapa, and sou
to Paullu, who was baptized, and alwayes favoured the
Spaniards against Mancocapa his brother. When the Mar-
quis of Canete governed in this countrey, Sayri Tupac Yuca,
^ Tupac Amaru, the last Ynca, was beheaded by order of the Viceroy
Toledo in 1571.
F F 2
436 MEXICAN SUCCESSION.
Lid. VI. -vvent from Vilcabamba and came vpon assurance to the
citty of Kings, where there was given to him the valley of
Yucay, and other things, to whom succeeded a daughter of
his. Beholde the succession which is knowne at this day
of that great and rich familie of the Yncas, whose raigne
continued above three hundred yeeres, wherein they reckon
eleaven successors, vntill it was wholly extinguished. In
the other linage of Vrincusco, which (as we have said
before) had his beginning likewise from the first Mancocapa,
they reckon eight successors in this sort. To Mancocapa
succeeded Sinchi Rocca, to him Ccapac Yupanqui, to him
Lloqui Yupanqui, to him Mayta Ccapac, to him Tarco-
guaman, vnto whome succeeded his sonne, whome they
name not, to this son succeeded Don luan Tambo, Mayta-
panaqa. This sufficeth for the originall and succession of
the Yncas, that governed the land of Peru, with that that
I have spoken of their lawes, governement, and manner of
life.
Chap. xxiv. — Of the manner of the Mexicaines common-weale.
Although you may see by the historie which shall bo
written of the kingdome, succession, and beginning of the
Mexicaines, their manor of commonweale and governement,
yet will I speake briefly what I shall thinke fitte in generall
to be most observed ; whereof I will discourse more amply
in the historie. The first point whereby we may iudge the
Mexicaine governement to be very politike, is the order
they had and kept inviolable in the election of their king ;
for since their first, called Acamapich, vnto their last, which
was Montequma, the second of that name, there came none
to the crown e by right of succession, but by a lawfull nomi-
nation and election. This election in the beginning was by
> This name is net in the lists of other authoi-s.
MEXICAN SUCCESSION. ' 437
the voyce of the commons, although the chiefe men managed ^^^' ^^•
it. Since in the time of Iscoatl the fourth king, by the
advise and order of a wise and valiant man, called Tlacael,
there were foure certayne Electours appoynted^ which (with
two lordes or kings subiect to the Mexicaine, the one of
Tescuco and the other of Tacuba) had power to make this
election. They did commonly choose yoong men for their
kings, because they went alwayes to the warres, and this
was in a manner the chiefe cause why they desired them so.
They had a speciall regard that they shoulde be fit for the
warres^ and take delight and glory therein. After the elec-
tion they made twoo kindes of feasts_, the one in taking
possession of the royall estate, for the which they went to
the Temple^ making great ceremonies and sacrifices vppon
the harth, called Divine, where there was a continuall fire
before the altare of the idoll^ and after some Rhetoritians
practised therein, made many orations and speeches. The
other feast, and the most solemne, was at his coronation,
for the which he must first overcome in battell, and bring a
certaine number of captives, which they must sacrifice to
their gods ; he entred in triumph with great pompe, making
him a solemne reception, as well they of the Temple, who
went all in procession, sounding on sundry sortes of instru-
ments, giving incense^ and singing like secular men, as also
the courtiers, who came forth with their devises to receive
the victorious king. The Crowne or royall ensigne was
before like to a Myter, and behinde it was cut, so as it was
not round, for the fore parte was higher, and did rise like a
poynt. The king of Tescuco had the privilege to crown
the king of Mexico. The Mexicaines have beene very
duetifull and loyall vnto their kings; and, it hath not beene
knowne that they have practised any treason against them;
onely their Histories report, that they sought to poison their
king called Ti^occi, being a coward, and of small account ;
but it is not found that there hath beene any dissentions or
438 MEXICAN NOBILITY.
Lib. VI, partialities amongest them for ambition, thogh it be an
ordinary thing in Comminalties ; but contrariwise they
reporte, as you shall see heereafter, that a man, the best of
the Mexicaiues, refused this realme, seeming vnto him to be
very expedient for the Common-weale to have an other
king. In the beginning, v^^hen the Mexicaines were but
poore and weake, the kings were very moderate in their
expenses and in their Court, but as they increased in power
they increased hkewise in pompe and state, vntill they
came to the greatnesse of Montezuma, who if hee had
had no other thing but his house of beasts and birds, it
had beene a prowde thing, the like whereof hath not beene
scene ; for there was in this house all sortes of fish, birds,
and beasts, as in an other Noahs Arke, for sea fish there
were pooles of salt-water, and for river fish lakes of fresh-
water, birds that do prey were fedde, and likewise wilde
beasts in great aboundaunce ; there were very many Indians
imployed for the keeping of these beasts ; and when he
found an impossibilitie to nourish any sort of fish, fowle, or
wilde beast, hee caused the image or likenesse to be made,
richly cutte in pretious stones, silver, or golde, in marble, or
in stone ; and for all sortes of entertainements, hee had his
severall houses and pallaces, some of pleasure, others of
sorrowe and mourning, and others to treate of the affairs
of the realme. There was in this pallace many chambers,
according to the qualitie of noble men that served him,
with a strange order and distinction.
Chap. xxv. — Of the titles and dignities the Indians vsed.
The Mexicaines have beene very curious to divide the
degrees and dignities amongst the Noble men and Lords,
that they might distinguish them to whom they were to
give the greatest honour. The dignity of these foure
MEXICAN NOBILITY. 439
Electors was the greatest, and most honourable next to the ^'"*- '^^•
king, and they were chosen presently after the kings elec-
tion. They were commonly brothers, or very neare kinsmen
to the king, and were called Tlacohecalcatl, which signifies
prince of darts, the which they cast, being a kind of armes
they vse much. The next dignitie to this were those they
doe call Tlacatecatl, which is to say circumcisers or cutters
of men. The third dignitie were of those which they
called Ezuahuacatl, which signifies a sheader of blood. All
the which Titles and Dignities were exercised by men of
warre. There was another, a fourth, intituled, Tlilancalqui,
which is as much to say, as Lord of the blacke house, or of
darkenesse, by reason of certaine incke wherewith the
Priests annoynted themselves, and did serve in their idola-
tries. All these foure dignities were of the great Counsell,
without whose advise the king might not doe anything of
importance; and the king being dead they were to choose
another in his place out of one of those foure dignities.
Besides these, there were other Counsells and Audiences,
and some say there were as many as in Spaine, and that
there were divers seates and iurisdictions, with their Coun-
sellors and ludges of the Court, and others that were vnder
them, as Corregidors, chiefe ludges, captaines of Justice,
Lieutenants, and others, which were yet inferiour to these,
with a very goodly order. All which depended on the foure
first Princes that assisted the king. These foure onely had
authority and power to condemne to death, and the rest
sent them instructions of the sentences they had given.
By meanes whereof they gave the king to vnderstand what
had passed in his E-ealme.
There was a good order and settled policie for the re-
venues of the Crowne, for there were officers divided
throughout all the provinces, as Receivers and Treasurers,
which received the Tributes and royall revenews. And
they carried the Tribute to the Court, at the least every
440 MEXICAN WARFARE.
Lib. VI, tnoneth ; which Tribute was of all things that doe growe or
iugender on the land, or in the water, as well of iewells and
apparrellj as of meat. They were very carefull for the well
ordering of that which concerned their religion, superstition,
and idolatries, : and for this occasion there were a great
number of Ministers, to whom charge was given to teach
the people the custome and ceremonies of their Lawe.
Heerevppon one day a christian Priest made his complaint
that the Indians were no good Christians, and did not
profite in the lawe of God ; an olde Indian answered him
ver}7 well to the purpose in these terms ; '^ Let the Priest,
saide hee, imploy as much care and diligence to make the
Indians christians, as the ministers of Idolles did to teach
them their ceremonies ; for with halfe that care they will
make vs the best christians in the worlde, for that the lawe
of Jesus Christ is much better ; but the Indians learne it
not, for want of men to instruct them/' Wherein hee spake
the very trueth, to our great shame and confusion.
Chap. xxvi. — How the Mexicaines made Warre, and of their
Orders of Knighthood,
The Mexicaines gave the first place of honour to the pro-
fession of armes, and therefore the Noblemen are their
chiefe souldiers, and others that were not noble, by their
valour and reputation gotten in warres, came to dignities
and honours, so as they were held for noblemen. They gave
goodly recompences to such as had done valiantly, who
inioyed priviledges that none else might have, the which
did much incourage them. Their armes were of rasors of
sharpe cutting flints, which they set on either side of a
stafl:e, which was so furious a weapon, as they affirmed that
with one blow, they would cut off" the necke of a horse;
They had strange and heavy clubbes, lances fashioned like
MEXICAN KNIGHTHOOD. 441
pikeSj and otlier maner of dartes to cast, wherein they were
very expert; but the greatest part of their combate was
performed with stones. For defensive armes they had
Httle rondaches or targets, and some kind of morions or
head-pieces invironed with feathers. They were clad in the
skinnes of tigres_, Hons, and other sauage beasts. They
came presently to hands with the enemie, and were greatly
practised to runne and wrestle^ for their chief maner of
combate, was not so much to kill, as to take captives, the
which they vsed in their sacrifices, as hath beene said.
Montezuma set knighthood in his highest splendor, ordaining
certaine militarie orders, as Commanders, with certaine
markes and ensignes. The most honourable amongest the
Knightes, were those that carried the crowne of their
haire, tied with a little red ribband, having a rich plume of
feathers, from the which, did hang branches of feathers
vpon their shoulders, and roules of the same. They carried
so many of these rowles, as they had done worthy deedes in
warre. The King himselfe was of this order, as may be
scene in Chapultepec, where MonteQuma and his sonnes
were attyred with those kindes of feathers, cut in the rocke,
the which is worthy the sight. There was another order of
Knighthood, which they called the lions and the tigres,
the which were commonly the most valiant and most noted
in warre, they went alwaies with their markes and armories.
There were other Knightes, as the grey Knightes, the
which were not so much respected as the rest : they had
their haire cut round about the eare. They went to the
war with markes like to the other Knightes, yet they were
not armed but to the girdle, and the most honourable were
armed all over. All Knightes might carry golde and silver,
and weare rich cotton, and use painted and gilt vessel!,
and carry shooes after their maner : but the common peo-
ple might vse none but earthen vessel), neyther might they
carry shooes, nor attyre themselves but in Nequen, the
Lib. VI.
442 MEXICAN SCHOOLS.
Lib. VI. -yvhich IS a grosse stuffe. Every order of these Kiiightes
had his lodging in the pallace noted with their markes ; the
first was called the Princes lodging, the second of Eagles, the
third of Lions and Tigres, and the fourth of the grey
Knightes. The other common officers were lodged vnder-
neath in meaner lodgings : if any one lodged out of his
place, he suffered death.
Chap, xxvii. — Of the (jreat order and diligence the Mexl-
caines vsed to instruct their youth.
There is nothing that gives me more cause to admire,
nor that T finde more worthy of commendations and me-
mory, then the order and care the Mexicaines had to nou-
rish their youth; for they knew well that all the good hope
of a common weale consisted in the nurture aud institution
of youth, whereof Plato treates amply in his bookes Do
Legibus; and for this reason they laboured and tooke paines
to sequester their children from delights and liberties, which
are the two plagues of this age, imploying them in honest
and profitable exercises. For this cause there was in their
Temples a private house for childeren, as schooles, or col-
ledges, which was seperate from that of the yong men and
m aides of the Temple, whereof we have discoursed at large.
There were in these schooles a great number of children,
whom their fathers did willingly bring thither, and which
had teachers and masters to instruct them in all commend-
able exercises, to be of good behaviour, to respect their
superiors, to serve and obey them, giving them to this end
certain precepts and instructions. And to the end they
might be pleasing to Noblemen, they taught them to sing
and dance, and did practise them in the exercise of warre,
some to shoote an arrow, to cast a dart or a staffe burnt at
the end, and to handle well a target and a sword. They
MEXICAN SCHOOLS. 443
suffered them not to sleepe muclij to the end they might ^^^- "^^•
accustome themselves to labour in their youth, and were
not men given to delightes. Besides the ordinary number
of these children, there were in the same colledges other
children of Lordes and Noblemen, the which were instructed
more privately. They brought them their meate and ordi-
nary from their houses, and were recommended to antients
and old men to have care over them, who continually did
advise them to be vertuous and to live chastely ; to be
sober in their diet, to fast, and to march gravely, and with
measure. They were accustomed to exercise them to tra-
vell, and in laborious exercises; and when they see them
instructed in all these things, they did carefully looke into
their inclination, if they found any one addicted to the war,
being of sufficient yeares, they sought all occasions to make
triall of them, sending them to the warre, vnder colour to
carry victualls and munition to the souldiers, to the end
they might there see what passed, and the labour they
suffered. And that they might abandon all feare, they were
laden with heavy burthens, that shewing their courage
therein, they might more easily be admitted into the com-
pany of souldiers. By this meanes it happened that many
went laden to the Armie and returned Captaines with markes
of honour. Some of them were so desirous to bee noted,
as they were eyther taken or slaine; and they held it lesse
honourable to remaine a prisoner; and, therefore, they
sought rather to be cut in peeces then to fall captives into
their enemies hands. See how Noblemens children that
were inclined to the warres were iraployed. The others
that had their inclination to matters of the Temple; and to
speake after our maner, to be Ecclesiastical men, having
attained to sufficient yeares, they were drawne out of the
colledge, and placed in the temple in the lodging appointed
for religious men, and then they gave them the orders of
Ecclesiasticall men. There had they prelates and masters
44 i DANCES AND MUSIC.
Lib. VI. ^Q teach tbem that which concerned their profession, where
they should remaine being destined therevnto. These Mexi-
caines tooke great care to bring vp their children : if at this
day they would follow this order, in building of houses and
coUedges for the instruction of youth, without doubt Chris-
tianitie should florish much amongst the Indians. Some
godly persons have begunne, and the King with his Coun-
sell have favored it : but for that it is a matter of no profit,
they advance little, and proceed coldly. God open our
eyes, that we may see it to our shame, seeing that we
Christians do not that v/hich the children of darkenes did
to their perdition, wherin we forget our duties.
Chap, xxviii. — Of the Indians feasts and dances.
Forasmuch as it is a thing which partly dependes of the
good government of the Common-weale, to have some plaies
and recreations when time serves ; it shall not be from the
purpose to relate what the Indians did heerein, especially
the Mexicaines. We have not discovered any Nation at
the Indies that live in commonalties, which have not their
recreations in plaies, dances, and exercises of pleasure. At
Peru I have seene plaies in manor of combats, where the
men of both sides were sometimes so chafed that often their
PucUa (which was the name of this exercise) fell out to be
dangerous. I have also seene divers sortes of dances,
wherein they did counterfait and represent certaine trades
and offices, as sheepherds, laborers, fishers, and hunters,
and commonly they made all those dances with a very grave
sound and pase : there were other dances and maskes,
which they called cuacones, whose actions were pure repre-
sentations of the divell. There were also men that dance on
the shoulders one of another, as they do in Portugall, the
which they call pelas. The greatest part of these dances
DANCES AND MUSIC. 445
were superstitions and kindes of idolatries : for that they
honoured their idolls and Guacas in that maner. For this
reason the Prelates have laboured to take from them these
dances all they could: but yet they suffer them, for that
part of them are but sportes of recreation, for alwaies they
dance after their maner. In these dances they vse sundry
sortes of instruments, whereof some are like flutes or little
lutes, others like drummes, and others like shells : but
commonl}^ they sing all with the voyce, and first one or two
sing the song, then all the rest answer them. Some of
these songs were very wittily composed, contayning his-
tories, and others were full of superstitions, and some were
meere follies. Our men that have conversed among them
have laboured to reduce matters of our holy faith to their
tunes, the which hath profited well : for that they imploy
whole daies to rehearse and sing them, for the great
pleasure and content they take in their tunes. They have
likewise put our compositions of musicke into their lan-
guage, as Octaves, Songs, and Rondells, the which they
have very aptly turned, and in truth it is a goodly and very
necessary meanes to instruct the people. In Peru they
commonly called dances Taquij in other Provinces Areytos,
in Mexico Mitotes. There hath not beene in any other
place any such curiositie of plaies and dances as in New
Spaine, where at this day we see Indians so excellent
dancers, as it is admirable. Some dance vpon a cord, some
vpon a long and straight stake, in a thousand sundrie
sortes, others with the soles of their feete and their harames
do handle, cast vp, and receive againe a very heavy blocke,
which seems incredible but in seeing it. They do make
many other shewes of their great agilitie in leaping, vault-
ing, and tumbling, sometimes bearing a great and heavie
burthen, sometimes enduring blowes able to breake a barre
of yron. But the most usuall exercise of recreation among
the Mexicaines is the solemne Mitote, and that is a kinde
Lib. VI.
Lib. VI.
446 DANCES AND MUSIC.
of daunce they held so brave and so honorable, that the
king himselfe daunced, but not ordinarily, as the king Don
Pedro of Aragon with the Barber of Valencia. This daunce
or Mitote was commonly made in the Courts of the Tem-
ple, and in those of the kings houses, which were more
spatious. They did place in the midst of the Court two
instruments, one like to a drumme, and the other like a
barrell made of one peece, and hollow within, which they
set vppon the forme of a man, a beast, or vpon a piller.
These two instruments were so well accorded together,
that they made a good harmony : and with these instru-
ments they made many kinds of aires and songs. They
did all sing and dance to the sound and measure of these
instrum.ents, with so goodly an order and accord, both of
their feete and voices, as it was a pleasant thing to beholde.
In these daunces they made two circles or wheeles, the
one was in the middest neere to the instruments, wherein
the Auntients and Noblemen did sing and daunce with a
softe and slowe motion ; and the other was of the rest of
the people round about them, but a good distance from the
first, wherein they daunced two and two more lightly,
making diverse kindes of pases, with certaine leapes to the
measure. All which together made a very great circle.
They attired themselves for these dances with their most
pretious apparrell and iewelles, every one according to his
abilitie, holding it for a very honorable thing : for this
cause they learned these dauDces from their infancie. And
although the greatest parte of them were doone in honor of
their Idolles, yet was it not so instituted, as hath bin said,
but only as a recreation and pastime for the people. There-
fore it is not convenient to take them quite from the
Indians, but they must take good heed they mingle not
their superstitions amongest them. I have scene this Mi-
tote, in the court of the Church of Tepotzotlan, a village
seven leagues from Mexico : and, in my opinion, it was a
DANCES AND MUSIC. 447
good thing to busie the Indians vpon festival! dayes^ seeing ^^^- '*'^-
they have neede of some recreation : and because it is pub-
like, and without the prejudice of any other, there is lesse
inconvenience than in others, which may be done privately
by themselves, if they tooke away these. We must there-
fore conclude, following the counsel of pope Gregory, that
it was very convenient to leave vnto the Indians that
which they had usually of custom, so as they be not
mingled nor corrupt with their antient errors, and that
their feasts and pastimes may be to the honor of God and
of the Saints, whose feasts they celebrate. This may suf-
fice in generall of the maners and politike customes of the
Mexicaines. And as for their beginning, increase, and
Empire, for that it is an ample matter, and will be pleasant to
vnderstand from the beginning, we will intreate thereof in
the Booke following.
THE SEVENTH BOOKE
Of the Naturall and Morall Historic of the
Indies.
Eccles. i.
Chap. i. — That it is iirofitable to vnderstand the actes of the
Indians J especially of the Mexicaines.
Lib. VII. Every History, wel written, is profitable to the reader : For
as the Wise man saith, "That which hath bin, is, and that
which shall be, is that which hath beene/' Humane things
have much resemblance in themselves, and some growe
wise by that which happeneth to others. There is no
Nation, how barbarous so ever, that have not something in
them good, and woorthy of commendation ; nor Common-
weale so well ordered, that hath not something blame-
worthy, and to be controlled. If, therefore, there were
no other fruite in the Historie and Narration of the
deedes of the Indians, but this common vtilitie, to be a
Relation or Historie of things, the which in the effect of
truth have happened, it deserveth to be received as a profit-
able thing, neither ought it to be reiected, for that it con-
cernes the Indians. As we see that those Authors that
treate of naturall things, write not onely of generous beasts,
notable and rare plants, and of pretious stones, but also of
wilde beasts, common hearbes, and base and vulgar stones,
for that there is alwayes in them some properties worthy
observation. If, therefore, there were nothing else in this
Discourse, but that it is a Historie, and no fables nor
fictions, it were no vnwoorthy subject to be written or read.
FIRST INHABITANTS OP MEXICO. 449
There is yet an other more particular reason^ which is, that ^"' ^"•
wee ought heerin to esteeme that which is woorthy of
memorie, both for that it is a Nation little esteemed_, and
also a subiect different from that of our Europe,, as these
Nations be, wherein wee should take most pleasure and
content, to vnderstand the ground of their beginning, their
manor of life, with their happy and vnliappy adventures.
And this subiect is not onely pleasant and agreeable, but
also profitable, especially to such as have the charge to rule
and governe them ; for the knowledge of their acts invites
vs to give credite, and dooth partely teach howe they ought
to be intreated : yea, it takes away much of that common
and foolish contempt wherein they of Europe holde them,
supposing that those Nations have no feeling of reason.
For in trueth wee can not cleere this errour better, than by
the true report of the actes and deedes of this people. I
will, therefore, as briefly as I can, intreate of the beginning,
proceedings, and notable deedes of the Mexicaines, whereby
wee may know the time and the disposition that the high
God woulde choose, to send vnto these Nations the light of
the Gospel of lesus Christ his only sonne our Lord, whome
I beseech to second our small labour, that it may be to the
glory of his Divine greatnes, and some profite to these
people, to whome hee hath imparted the lawe of his holy
gospel.
Chap. ii. — Of the ancient Inhabitants of New Spaine, and
how the Navatlacas came thither.
The antient and first Inhabitants of those provinces,
which wee call New Spaine, were men very barbarous and
savage, which lived onely by hunting, for this reason they
were called Chichimecas. They did neither sowe nor till the
ground, neither lived they together ; for all their exercise
G G
450 FIRST INHABITANTS OF MEXICO.
Lib. VII. YfiX8 to hunt, whereiii they were very expert. They lived in
the roughest partes of the mountaines beastlike, without any
pollicie, and they went all naked. They hunted wilde
beasts^ hares, connies, weezles_, mowles, wilde cattes, and
birdes, yea vncleane beasts, as snakes, lizards, locusts, and
wormes, whereon they fed, with some hearbs and rootes.
They slept in the mountaines, in caves and in bushes, and
the wives likewise went a hunting with their husbandes,
leaving their yoong children in a little panier of reeds, tied
to the boughs of a tree, which desired not to suck vntill
they were returned from hunting. They had no superiors,
nor did acknowledge or worship any gods, neyther hadde
any manner of ceremonies or religion.
There is yet to this day in New Spaine of this kinde of
people, which live by their bowes and arrowes, the which
are very hurtfull, for that they gather together in troupes to
doe mischiefe, and to robbe : neither can the Spaniards by
force or cunning reduce them to any poUicie or obedience :
for having no towns nor places of residence, to fight with
them, were properly to hunt after savage beasts, which
scatter and hide themselves in the most rough and covered
places of the mountaines. Such is their manor of living
even to this day, in many Provinces of the Indies. In the
Bookes De frocuranda Indorum salute, they discourse
chiefly of this sort of Indians, where it is saide that
they are to be constrained and subiected by some honest
force, and that it is necessary first to teach them that they
are men, and then to be Christians. Some will say that
those in New Spaine, which they call Otomies, were of this
sort, being commonly poore Indians, inhabiting a rough
and barren land, and yet they are in good numbers, and
live together with some order, and such as do know them,
find them no lesse apt and capable of matters of Christian
religion, than others which are held to be more rich and
better governed. Comming, therefore, to our subiect, the
THE NAVATLACAS. 451
Chichimecas and Otomies^ which were the first inhabitants ^^^•
of New Spaine^ for that they did neyther till nor sowe the
land, they left the best and most fertile of the country
vnpeopled_, which Nations that came from farre did possess,
whome they called Navatlacas, for that it was a more civill
and pollitike Nation ; this word signifies a people that
speakes well, in respect of other barbarous nations without
reason. These second peoplers, Navatlacas, came from other
farre countries, which lie toward the north, where now they
have discovered a kingdome they call New Mexico.
There are two provinces in this countrey, the one called
Aztlan, which is to say a place of Herons : the other
Tuculhuacan, which signifies a land of such, whose grand-
fathers were divine. The Inhabitants of these provinces
have their houses, their lands tilled, gods, customes, and
ceremonies, with like order and governement to the Navat-
lacas, and are divided into seven Tribes or Nations : and
for that they have a custome in this province, that every
one of these lineages hath his place and private territory.
The Navatlacas paint their beginning and first territory in
figure of a cave, and say that they came forth of seven
caves to come and people the land of Mexico, whereof they
make mention in their Historie, where they paint seven
caves and men comming forth of them. By the computa-
tion of their bookes, it is above eight hundred yeeres since
these Navatlacas came foorth of their country, reducing
which to our accompt, was about the yeere of our Lord 720,
when they left their country to come to Mexico, they stayed
foure score years vpon the way ; and the cause of this their
long stay in their voyage, was, that their gods (which with-
out doubt were divells, and spake visibly vnto them) had
perswaded them to seeke new lands that had certaine signes.
And therefore they came discovering the whole land, to
search for these tokens which their Idolls had given them j
and in places where they found any good dwellings, they
G G 2
452 THE NAVATLACAS.
Lib. vTi. peopled it, and laboured the land, and as they discovered
better countries, they left those which they had first peopled,
leaving still some, especially the aged, sick folkes, and the
weary ; yea, they did plant and build there, whereof we see
the remainders at this day. In the way where they passed,
they spent fourescore yeares in this manner of leasurely
travell, the which they might have done in a moneth. By
this meanes they entred the land of Mexico in the yeare
nine hundred and two, after our computation.
Chap. hi. — How the six Lineages of Navatlacas peopled the
land of Mexico.
These seven Lineages I have spoken of, came not forth
all together : the first were the Suchimilcos, which signifie
a Nation of the seedes of flowers. Those peopled the bankes
of the great lake of Mexico towards the South, and did
build a cittie of their name, and many villages. Long time
after came they of the second lineage called Chalcas, which
signifies people of mouthes, who also built a cittie of their
name, dividing their limmits and territories with the Suchi-
milcos. The third were the Tepanecas, which signifies
people of the bridge : they did inhabite vpon the banke of
the lake towards the West, and they increased so, as they
called the chiefe and Metropolitane of their Province,
Azcapuzalco, which is to say, an Ants nest, and they con-
tinued long time mighty. After them came those that
peopled Tezcuco, which be those of Culhua, which is to say,
a crooked people : for that in their Countrey there was a
mountaine much bending.^ And in this sort this lake was
invironed with these foure Nations, these inhabiting on the
East, and the Tepanecas on the North. These of Tezcuco,
were held for great Courtiers, for their tongue and pronun-
tiation is very sweete and pleasant. Then arrived the
1 " Cerro muy encorvaclo."
THE NAVATLACAS. 453
TIatluicas, which signifies men of the Sierra or mountaine. ^^^- ^"•
Those were the most rude and grosse of all the rest, who
finding all the plaines about the lake possessed even vnto
the Sierra, they passed to the other side of the mountaine,
where they found a very fertile, spatious and warme coun-
trey, where they built many great villages, calling the
Metropolitane of their province, Quahunahuac, which is as
much to say, as a place that sounds the voice of an Eagle,
which our common people call by corruption, Quernavaca,
and at this day they call this province the Marquisate. Those
of the sixt generation, which are the Tlascaltecas, which is
to say men of bread, passed the mountaine towards the east,
crossing all the Sierra Nevada, where that famous Vulcan
is betwixt Mexico and the Ciudad de los Angeles, where
they did finde a good country, making many buildings.
They built many townes and citties, whereof the Metropol-
itane was called by their name Tlascala. This is the nation
which favoured the Spaniards at their entrie, by whose help
they did winne this country, and therefore to this day
they pay no tribute but enioy a generall exemption.
When all these Nations peopled these countries, the Chi-
chimecas being the antient inhabitants, made no resistance,
but fledde, and as people amazed they hid themselves in the
most obscure of the rockes. But those that inhabited on
th' other side of the mountaine where the Tlascaltecas had
planted themselves, did not suffer them in quiet, as the rest
of the Chichimecas had done, but they put themselves in
defence to preserve their country, and being giants, as the
Histories report, they sought to expell the last comers, but
they were vanquished by the policy of the Tlascaltecas,
who counterfeiting a peace with them, they invited them
to a great banquet, and when they were busiest in their
drunkennes, there were some laide in ambush, v/ho
secretly stole away their weapons, which were great clubbes,
targets, swords of wood, and other such armes. Then did they
454 THE TLASCALTECAS.
Lib. VII. sodainely set vpon them, and the Chiclaimecas seeking to
defend themselves, they did want their armes, so as they
fled to the mountaines and forrests adioyning, where they
pulled downe trees as if they had beene stalkes of lettices.
But, in the end, the Tlascaltecas being armed, and march-
ing in order, they defeated all the giants, not leaving one
alive. We must not holde this of the giants to be strange
or a fable; for, at this day, we finde dead mens bones of an
incredible bignes.
When I was in Mexico, in the yeare of our Lorde one
thousand five hundred eighty sixe, they found one of those
giants buried in one of our farmes, which we call lesus del
Monte, of whom they brought a tooth to be seene, which
(without augmenting) was as big as the fist of a man ; and,
according to this, all the rest was proportionable, which I
saw and admired at his deformed greatnes. The Tlascalte-
cas, by this victory, remained peaceable, and so did the
rest of the lineages. The six lineages did alwayes entertaine
amitie together, marrying their children one with another,
and dividing their limites quietly : then they studied with
an emulation to encrease and beautifie their common-weale.
The barbarous Chichimecas, seeing what passed, beganne
to vse some government, and to apparrell themselves, being
ashamed of what had passed : for till then they had no
shame. And having abandoned feare by their communica-
tion with these other people, they beganne to learne many
things of them, building small cottages, having some polHcie
and government. They did also choose Lordes, whom they
did acknowledge for their superiors, by meanes whereof
they did in a manner quite abandon this brutish life, yet
did they alwayes continue in the . Mountaines divided from
the rest.
Notwithstanding, I hold it for certaine that this feare
hath grown e from other Nations and Provinces of the In-
dies, who at the first were savage men, who living onely by
PEOPLING OF AMERICA. 455
hunting, piercing the rockie and rough countries^ discover-
ing a new world, the inhabitants whereof were almost like
savage beasts, without coverings or houses, without tilled
landes, without cattell, without King, Law, God, or Reason.
Since others, seeking better and new lands, inhabited this
fertile Countrey, planting pollitike order and a kinde of
common-weale, although it were very barbarous. After the
same men, or other Nations, that had more vnderstanding
then the rest, laboured to subdue and oppresse the lesse
mighty, establishing Realmes and great Empires. So it
happened in Mexico, at Peru, and in some partes where
they finde Citties and Common-weales planted among these
Barbarians. That which confirmes me in my opinion
(whereof I have amply discoursed in the first booke), that
the first inhabitants of the West Indies came by land, and
so by consequence that the first continent of the Indies
ioynes with that of Asia, Europe, and Affrike, and the new
world with the old, although they have not yet discovered
any countrey that toucheth and ioynes with the other world ;
or if there be any sea betwixt the two, it is so narrow that
wilde beasts may easily swim over, and men in small boates.
But leaving this Philosophie, let vs returne to our history.
Lib. VII.
Chap. iv. — Of the Mexicaines de^artuTGj of their iourney and
peopling the Province of Mechoacan.
Three hundred and two yeares after, the former two
lineages had left their Country to inhabite New Spaine, the
Country being now well peopled and reduced to some forme
of government. Those of the seventh cave or line arrived,
which is the Mexicaine Nation, the which, like vnto the rest,
left the Province of Aztlan and Teuculhuacan, a pollitike,
courtlike, and warlike Nation. They did worship the Idoll
Vitzilipuztli, whereof ample mention hath beene made, and
the divell that was in this idoll spake, and governed this
456 MIGRATION OF THE MEXICANS.
Lib. VII. jv^ation easily. This idoll commanded them to leave their
Country, promising to make them Princes and Lords over
all the Provinces which the other six Nations did possesse,
that hee would give them a land abounding with gold,
silver, pretious stones, feathers, and rich mantells : where-
vpon they went forth, carrying their idoll with, them in a
coffer of reedes, supported by foure of their principall
priests, with whome he did talke and reveale vnto them in
secret, the successe of their way and voyage, advising them
of what should happen. He likewise gave them lawes, and
taught them the customes, ceremonies, and sacrifices they
should observe. They did not advance nor moove without
commandement from this idoll. He gave them notice when
to march and when to stay in any place, wherein they wholy
obeyed him. The first thing they did wheresoever they
came was to build a house or tabernacle for their false god,
which they set alwaies in the middest of their Campe, and
there placed the Arke vppon an altare, in the same manner
as they have vsed in the holy Christian Church. This done,
they sowed their land for bread and pulses, which they vsed:
and they were so addicted to the obedience of their god,
that if he commanded them to gather, they gathered ; but
if he commanded them to raise their campe, all was left
there for the nourishment of the aged, sicke, and wearie,
which they left purposely from place to place, that they
might people it, pretending by this meanes that all the land
should remaine inhabited by their Nation. This going
forth and peregrination of the Mexicaines will happily
seeme like to that of Egypt, and to the way which the
children of Israeli made, seeing that they, as well as those,
were warned to go forth and to seeke the land of promise,
and both the one and the other carried their god for their
guide, consulted with the arke and made him a tabernacle,
and he advised them, giving them lawes and ceremonies,
and both the one and the other spake many yeares in their
MIGRATION OF THE MEXICANS. 457
voyage to their promised land^ where we observe the resem-
blance of many other things^ as the histories of the Mexi-
caines do report, and the holy scriptures testifie of the
Israelites. And without doubt it is a true thing, that the
Divell, the prince of pride, hath laboured by the supersti-
tions of this Nation, to counterfaite and imitate that which
the most high God did with this Nation : for, as is said be-
fore, Satan hath a strange desire to compare and make
himselfe equal with God : so as this mortall enemy hath
pretended falsely to vsurpe what communication and fami-
liaritie he hath pleased with men. Was there ever divell
found so familiarly conversant with men as this divell Vitzi-
lipuztli. We may wel iudge what he was, for that there
was never scene nor heard speake of customes more super-
stitious, nor sacrifices more cruel and inhumane, than those
which he taught them. To conclude, they were invented
by the enemy of mankiude. The chiefe and Captaine
whome they followed was called Mexi, whence came the
name of Mexico, and of the Mexicaine Nation. This people
marching thus at leisure, as the other six Nations had done,
peopling and tilling the land in divers partes, whereof there
is yet some sliewes and mines : and after they had endured
many travells and dangers, in the end they came to the
Province of Mechoacan, which is as mucli to say, a land
of fish, for there is great abundance in goodly great lakes,
where, contenting themselves with the situation and tem-
perature of the ground, they resolved to stay there. Yet,
having consulted with their idoll vpon this point, and find-
ing him vnwilling, they demanded license to leave some of
their men to people so good a land, the which he granted,
teaching them the meanes how to do it, which was, that
when the men and women should be entred into a goodly
lake called Pazcuaro to bathe themselves, those which re-
mained on land should steale away all their clothes, and
then secretly raise their campe and depart without any
Lib. VII.
458 ABANDONMENT OF A WITCH.
Lib. vrr. l)ruite_, the which was effected^ and the rest which dreamt
not of this deceit (for the pleasure they tooke in bathing),
comming forth and finding themselves spoiled of their gar-
ments, and thus mocked and left by their companions, they
remained discontented and vexed therewith : so as, to make
shew of the hatred they had conceived against them, they
say that they changed their manor of life and their language.
At the least, it is most certaine that the Mechoacans have
been alwaies enemies to the Mexicaines, and therefore they
came to congratulate the Marquis Del Yalle,^ after his
victory obtained when he had conquered Mexico.
Chap. v. — Of that ivMch happened in Malinalco, Tithij and
^71 Chajpultepec,
From Mechoacan to Mexico are above fifty leagues, and
vpon the way is Malinalco, where it happened that com-
plaining to their idoll of a woman that was a notable
witch, which came in their company carrying the name of a
sister to their god, for that with her wicked artes she did
them much harme, pretending by certaine meanes to be
worshipped of them as their goddesse : the idoll spake in a
dreame to one of those old men that carried the arke, com-
maunding him to comfort the people, making them new and
great promises, and that they should leave this his sister
with her family, being cruell and bad, raising their campe
at mid-night in great silence, leaving no shew what way
they passed. So they did, and the witch remaining alone
with her family, in this sort peopled a towne which they
call Malinalco, the inhabitants whereof are held for great
sorcerers, being issued from such a mother. The Mexi-
caines, for that they were greatly diminished by these divi-
sions, and by the number of sicke and wearied persons
which they had left behind, meant to repaire themselves,
^ Ilernau Cortes.
CONTINUED MARCH OF THE MEXICANS. 459
and to stay in a place called Tula, which signifies a place of ^^^•^^^-
reedes. There their idoll commanded them to stoppe a
great river_, that it might cover a great plaine, and by the
meanes he taught them they did inviron a little hill called
CoatepeCj making a great lake, the which they did plant
round about with willows, elmes, sapines, and other trees.
There beganne to breede much fish, and many birdes came
thither : so as it became a very pleasant place. The situa-
tion of this place seeming pleasant vnto them, and being
wearied with travell, many talked of peopling there, and to
passe no farther : wherewith the divell was much displeased,
threatning the priests with death, commanding them to re-
turne the river to hir course, saying that he would that
night chastise those which had beene disobedient as they
had deserved. And as to do ill is proper to the Divell, and
that the divine Justice doth often suffer such to be delivered
into the hands of such a tormentor, that choose him for
their god ; it chanced that about mid-night they heard a
great noise in one part of the campe, and in the morning
going thither they found those dead that had talked of stay-
ing there. The manor of their death was, that their
stomackes were opened and their hearts pulled out. And
by that meanes this good god taught these poore miserable
creatures the kindes of sacrifices that pleased him, which
was in opening the stomacke to pull out the heart, as they
have since practised in their horrible sacrifices. Seeing this
punishmeat, and that the plaine was dried, the lake being
emptied, they asked counsell of their god what to doe, who
commanded them to passe on, the which they did by little
and little, vntill they came to Chapultepec, a league from
Mexico, famous for the pleasantnes thereof. They did forti-
fie themselves in these mountaines, fearing the nations
which inhabited that Country, the which were opposite vnto
them, especially for that one named Copil, sonne to this
sorceresse, left in Malinalco, had blamed and spoken ill of
460 MIGRATION OF THE MEXICANS.
Lib. vir. tho^Mexicaiiies : for this Copil, by the commandement of
his mother, awhile after followed the Mexicaines course,
labouring to incense the Tepanecas and other neighbours
against them, even vnto the Chalcas : so as they came with
a strong army to destroy the Mexicaines. Copil, in the
meane space, stoode vpon a little hill in the middest of a
lake called Acopilco, attending the destruction of his
enemies, and they, by the advise of their idoll, went against
him, tooke him suddenly, and slew him, carrying his heart
to their god, who commanded them to cast it into the lake,
faining that thereof did grow a plant called Tunal,^ where
since Mexico was built. They came to fight with the Chal-
cas and other Nations, having chosen for their Captaine a
valiant man called Vitzilonitli, who, in an encounter, was
taken and slaine by the enemies. But for all this, they were
not discouraged, but fought valiantly; and in dispight of
their enemies they brake the squadrons, and carrying their
aged, their women, and yong children in the midst of their
battaile, they passed on to Atlacuyavaya, a town of the Cul-
huas, whom they found solemnising of a feast, in which
place they fortified. The Chalcas, nor the other Nations,
did not follow them, but grieved to be defeated by so small
a number of men; they being in so great multitudes re-
tyred to their townes.
Chap. vi. — Of the Warres the Mexicaines had against them.
of Gulhuacan,
The Mexicaines, by the advice of their idoll, sent their
messengers to the Lord of Culhuacan, to demand a place
to dwell in, who after he had imparted it to his people,
granted them the place of Ti9aapan, which signifies white
waters, to the end they should all perish there, being full of
vipers, snakes, and other venomous beasts which bred in a
^ Prickly pear.
MIGRATION OF THE MEXICANS. 461
hill neere adioyning. But being porswaded and tauglit by
their divell, they accepted willingly what was offered_, and
by their divelish art tamed these beastes, so as they did
them no harme ; yea, they vsed them as meat, eating them
with delight and appetite. The which the Lord of Cul-
huacan seeing, and that they had tilled and sowed the land,
he resolved to receive them into the Cittie, and to contract
amity with them. But the god whom the Mexicaines did
worship (as he is accustomed to do no good, but ill) said
vnto his priests, that this was not the place where he would
have them stay, and that they must go forth making warres.
Therefore they must seeke forth a woman, and name her
the goddesse of Discord. Wherevpon they resolved to send
to the King of Culhuacan, to demand his daughter to be
Queene of the Mexicaines, and mother to their god, who
received this Ambassage willingly, sending his daughter
presently gorgeously attyred and well accompanied. The
same night she arrived, by order of the murtherer whome
they worshipped, they killed her cruelly, and having flaed
her artificially as they could do, they did clothe a yong man
with her skinne, and therevpon her apparrell, placing him
neere their idoll, dedicating him for a goddesse and the
mother of their god, and ever after did worship it, making
an idoll which they called Tocci, which is to say our grand-
mother. Not content with this crueltie, they did maliciously
invite the King of Culhuacan, the father of the yong maid,
to come and worshippe his daughter, who was now con-
secrated a goddesse, who comming with great presents, and
well accompanied with his people, he was led into a very darke
chappell where their idoll was, that he might offer sacrifice
to his daughter that was in that place. But it chanced that
the incense that was vpon the harth, according to their cus-
tome, kindled in such sort, as hee might discerne his daugh-
ter's haire, and having by this meanes discovered the
cruelty and deceit, hee went forth crying alowde, and with
Lib. VII.
Lib. VII.
462 FOUNDATION OF MEXICO. .
all liis men he fell vpon the Mexicaines, forcing them to re-
tyre to the lake^ so as they were almost drowned. The
Mexicaines defended themselves, casting certaine little
darts_, which they vsed in the warres, wherewith they much
galled their ennemies. But in the end they got land^ and
leaving that place^ they coasted along the lake, very weary
and wet ; the women and little children crying and making
great exclamations against them and their god that had
brought them into this distresse. They were inforced to
passe a river that could not be waded through, and there-
fore they advised to make small boates of their targets, and
of reedes, wherein they passed. Then afterwardes, having
left Culhuacan, they arrived at Iztapalapa, and next at Aca-
tzintitlan, afterwards at Tztacal, and finally at the place
where the hermitage of San Anton now is, at the entry of
Mexico, and to that quarter which they now call San Pablo.
During which time their idoll did comfort them in their
travells and incoraged them, promising great matters.
Chap. vii. — Of the foundation of Mexico,
The time being now come, that the father of lies should
accomplish his promise made to his people, who could
no longer suffer so many turnings, travells, and dangers, it
happened that some old priests or sorcerers, beiug entred
into a place full of water-lilies, they met with a very faire
and cleere current of water, which seemed to be silver, and
looking about, they found the trees, medowes, fish, and all
that they beheld to be very white : wondring heereat, they
remembred a prophecie of their god, whereby he had given
them that for a token of their place of rest, and to make
them Lords of other Nations. Then weeping for ioy, they
returned to the people with these good newes. The night
following, Yitzlipuztli appeared in a dreame to an antient
FOUNDATION OF MEXICO. 463
priest, saying, that they should seeke out a TunaP in the ^^^- ^"-
lake, which grew out of a stone (which as he told them, was
the same place where by his commaundement they had cast
the heart of Copil, sonne to the sorceresse, their enemy)
and vpon this Tunal they should see a goodly Eagle, which
fed on certaine small birdes. When they should see this,
they should beleeve it was the place where their Cittie
should be built, the which should surmount al others, and
be famous throughout the world. Morning being come,
the old man assembled the whole people, from the greatest
to the least, making a long speech vnto them, how much
they were bound unto their god, and of the Kevelation,
which (although vnworthy) hee had received that night, con-
cluding that all must seeke out that happie place which was
promised them ; which bred such devotion and ioy in them
all, that presently they vndertooke the enterprise, and
dividing themselves into bandes, they beganne to search,
following the signes of the revelation of the desired place.
Amidest the thickest of these water-lillies in the lake, they
met with the same course of water they had seene the day
before, but much differing, being not white, but red, like
blood, the which divided it selfe into two streames, whereof
the one was of a very obscure azure, the which bred admira-
tion in them, noting some great mistery as they said. After
much search heere and there, the Tunal appeared growing
on a stone, whereon was a royall Eagle, with the wings dis-
plaied towardes the Sunne, receiving his heat. About this
Eagle were many rich fethers, white, red, yellow, blew, and
greene, of the same sort as they make their images,
which Eagle held in his tallants a goodly birde. Those
which sawe it and knew it to be the place fore-told by the
Oracle, fel on their knees, doing great worship to the Eagle,
which bowed the head looking on every side. Then was
there great cries, demonstrations, and thanks vnto the Cre-
* Prickly pear.
Lid. VII.
464 FOUNDATION OF MEXICO.
ator, and to their great god Vitzlipuztli^ who was their
father, and had alwaies told them truth. For this reason
they called the cittie which they founded there, Tenoxtitlan,
which signifies Tunal on a stone, and to this day they carry
in their arrnes, an Eagle upon a Tunal, with a bird in one
tallant, and standing with the other vpon the Tunal. The
day following, by common consent, they made an hermitage
adioyning to the Tunal of the Eagle, that the Arke of their
god might rest there, till they might have meanes to build
him a sumptuous Temple : and so they made this her-
mitage of flagges and turfes covered with straw ; then
having consulted with their god, they resolved to buy of
their neighbours, stone, timber, lime, in exchange of fish,
froggeSj and yong kids, and for duckes, water-hennes,
curlews, and divers other kindes of sea fowles. All which
things they did fish and hunt for in this Lake, whereof there
is great aboundance. They went with these things to the
markets of the Townes and Citties of the Tepanecas, and
of them of Tezcuco their neighbours, and with pollicie they
gathered together, by little and little, what was neces-
sary for the building of their Cittie ; so as they built a bet-
ter Chappell for their idoU of lime and stone, and laboured
to fill vp a great part of the lake with rubbish. This done,
the idoU spake one night to one of his priests in these
tearmes, " Say vnto the Mexicaines, that the Noblemen
divide themselves everie one with their kinsfolkes and friends,
and that they divide themselves into foure principall quar-
ters, about the house which you have built for my rest, and
let every quarter build in his quarter at his pleasure/' The
which was put in execution : and those be the foure prin-
cipall quarters of Mexico, which are called at this day San
Juan, Santa Maria la Redonda, San Pablo, and San Sebas-
tian. After this, the Mexicaines being thus divided into
these foure quarters, their god commanded them to divide
amongest them the gods he should name bo them, and that
SEDITION OF TLATELULCO. 465
each principal quarter should name other special quarters_,
where these gods should be worshipped. So as vnder
every one of these foure principall quarters, there were
many less comprehended, according to the number of the
idoUs which their god commanded them to worship, which
they called Calpultetco, which is as much as to say, god of
the quarters. In this manner, the Citie of Mexico Tenox-
tiltan was founded, and grew great.
Lib. VII.
Chap. viii. — Of the sedition of those ofTlatelttlco, and of the
first Kings the Mexicaines did choose.
This division being made as afore-said, some olde men
and Antients held opinion, that in the division, they had not
respected them as they deserved : for this cause, they and
their kinsfolke did mutine, and went to seeke another
residence ; and as they went thorough the lake, they found
a small peece of ground or terrasse, which they call Tloteloli,
where they inhabited, calling it Tlatellulco, which signifies
place of a terrasse. This was the third division of the Mex-
icaines, since they left their Country. That of Mechoacan
being the first, and that of Malinalco the second. Those
which separated themselves and went to Tlatellulco were
famous men, but of bad disposition ; and therefore they
practised against the Mexicaines, their neighbours, all the
ill neighbourhood they could. They had alwaies quarrells
against them, and to this day continues their hatred and
olde leagues. They of Tenoxtiltan, seeing them of Tlatell-
ulco thus opposite vnto them, and that they multiplied, feared
that in time they might surmount them : heerevpon they
assembled in counsell, where they thought it good to choose
a King, whome they should obey, and strike terror into
their enemies, that by this meanes they should bee more
vnited and stronger among themselves, and their enemies
H H
Lib. VII.
4G6 FIRST MEXICAN KING.
not presume too much against them. Being thus resolved
to choose a King, they took another advise very profitable
and assured, to choose none among themselves, for the
avoyding of dissentions, and to gaine (by their new King)
some other neighbour nations, by whom they were in-
vironed, being destitute of all succours. All well con-
sidered, both to pacifie the King of Culhuacan, whome
they had greatly offended, having slaine and flead the
daughter of his predecessor, and done him so great a
scorne, as also to have a King of the Mexicaine blood, of
which generation there were many in the Culhuacan, which
continued there since the time they lived in peace amongst
them j they resolved to choose for their King, a yong man
called Acamapixtli, Sonne to a great Mexicaine Prince, and
of a Ladie, daughter to the King of Culhuacan. Presently
they sent Ambassadors with a great present to demand this
man, who delivered their Ambassage in these tearmes :
" Great Lord, we your vassals and servants, placed and shut
vp in the weedes and reedes of the Lake, alone and aban-
doned of all the Nations of the world, led onely and guided
by our god to the place where we are, which falles in the
iurisdiction of your limits of Ascapusalco, and of Tezcuco.
Although you have suffered vs to live and remaine there,
yet will we not, neither is it reason to, live without a head
and lord to command, to correct, and governe vs, instruct-
ing vs in the course of our life, and defending vs from our
enemies : Therefore we come to you, knowing that in your
Court and house, there are children of our generation, linckt
and alied with yours, issued from our entrailes, and yours,
of our blood and yours, among the which we have know-
ledge of a grand-child of yours and ours, called Acamapixtli.
We beseech you, therefore, to give him vs for Lord, we will
esteeme him as hee deserves, seeing hee is of the lineage of
the Lords of Mexico, and the Kings of Culhuacan.
The king having consulted vppon this poynt, and finding
FIRST MEXICAN KING. 467
it nothing inconvenient to be alied to the Mexicaines, who
were vahant men, made them answer that they should take
his grandchilde in good time,, adding therevnto, that if he
had beene a woman, hee woulde not have given her, noting
the foule fact before spoken of, ending his discourse with
these wordes : *' Let my grand-childe go to serve your god,
and be his lievetenant, to rule and governe his creatures, by
whom we live, who is the Lord of night, day, and windes :
Let him goe and be Lord of the water and land, and pos-
sesse the Mexicaine Nation, take him in good time, and vse
him as my sonne and grand-childe.'^ The Mexicaines gave
him thanks, all ioyntly desiring him to marry him with his
owne hand, so as he gave him to wife one of the noblest
Ladies amongst them. They conducted the new King and
Queene with all honour possible, and made him a solemne
reception, going all in generall foorth to see the king, whom
they led into pallaces, which were then but meane ; and
having seated them in royall throanes, presently one of the
Antients and an Orator much esteemed amongest them, did
rise vp, speaking in this manner : " My sonne, our Lord
and King, thou art welcome to this poor house and citty,
amongest these weedes and mudde, where thy poore fathers,
grandfathers, and kinsfolkes, endure what it pleaseth the
Lord of things created. Eemember, Lord, thou commest
hither to be the defence and support of the Mexicaine Na-
tion, and to be the resemblance of our God Yitzlipuztli,
wherevpon the charge and governement is given thee.
Thou knowest we are not in our country, seeing the land we
possesse at this day is anothers, neither know we what shall
become of vs to-morrowe, or another day : Consider, there-
fore, that thou commest not to rest or recreate thy selfe, but
rather to indure a new charge vnder so heavie a burden :
wherein thou must continually labour, being slave to this
multitude, which is fallen to thy lotte, and to all this neigh-
bour people, whome they must strive to gratifie, and give
H H 2
Lib. VII.
Lib. VII.
468 MEXICAN TRIBUTE TO AZCAPUZALCO.
them contentment^ seeing thou knowest we live vpon their
lands, and within their limites. And ending, hee repeated
these wordes : ''Thou art welcome, thou and the Queene our
Mistris, to this your realme." This was the speech of the
old man, which^ with other orations (which the Mexicaine
histories do celebrate) the children did vse to learne by hart,
and so they were kept by tradition, some of them deserve
well to be reported in their proper termes. The king
aunswering, thanked them, and offered them his care and
diligence in their defence and aide in all he could. After
they gave him the othe, and after their manor set the
royaJl crown vpon his head, the which is like to the Crowne
of the dukes of Venice : the name of Acamapixtli, their first
king, signifies a handfull of reeds, and therefore they carry
in their armories a hand holding many arrows of reedes.
Chap. ix. — Of the strange tribute the Mexicaines paied to
them of Azcapuzalco.
The Mexicaines happened so well in the election of their
new king, that in short time they grew to have some form
of a common-weale, and to be famous among strangers ;
wherevpon their neighbours, moved with feare_, practised to
subdue them, especially the Tepanecas, who had Azcap-
uzalco for their metropolitane citty, to whome the Mexi-
caines payed tribute, as strangers dwelling in their land.
For the king of Azcapuzalco fearing their power which
increased,, soght to oppresse the Mexicaines, and having
consulted with his subjects, he sent to tel king Acamapixtli
that the ordinary tribute they payed was too little, and that
from thencefoorth they should bring firre trees, sapines,
and willowes for the building of the citty, and moreover
they shoulde make him a garden in the water planted with
diverse kindes of hearbes and pulses, which they should
FLOATING GARDENS. 469
bring vnto him yearely by water^ dressed in tliis maner,
without failing ; which if they did not, he declared them his
enemies, and would roote them out. The Mexicaines were
much troubled at this commaundement, holding it impos-
sible : and that this demaund was to no other end, but to
seeke occasion to mine them. But their god Vitzlipuztli
comforted them, appearing that night to an olde man, com-
maunding him to say to the king his sonne in his name,
that hee should make no difficultie to accept of this tribute,
he would help them and make the meanes easie, which after
happened : for the time of tribute being come, the Mexi-
canes carried the trees that were required, and moreover, a
garden made and floating in. the water, and in it much
Mays (which is their corne) already grained and in the
eare : there was also Indian pepper, beetes, Tomates, pease,
gourds, and many other things, al ripe, and in their season.
Such as have not seene the gardines in the lake of Mexico,
in the middest of the water, will not beleeve it, but will say
it is an inchantment of the Divell whom they worship : But
in trueth it is a matter to be done, and there hath beene often
seene of these gardens floating in the water; for they cast earth
vpon reedes and grasse, in such sort as it never wastes in the
water; they sowe and plant this ground, so as the grainegrowes
and ripens very well, and then they remove it from place to
place. But it is true, that to make this great garden easily,
and to have the fruites grow well, is a thing that makes
men iudge there was the worke of Vitzlipuztli, whom other-
wise they call Patillas, specially having never made nor
seene the like. The king of Azcapuzalco wondred much
when he sawe that accomplished which he held impossible,
saying vnto his subiects, that this people had a great god
that made all easie vnto them, and hee sayd vnto the Mexi-
caines, that seeing their God gave them all things perfit
hee would the yeare following, at the time of tribute, they
shoulde bring in their gardine a wild ducke, and a heron,
Lib. VII.
Lib. tii.
470 DEATH OF THE FIRST MEXICAN KING.
sitting on their egges, in such sorte, that they should hatch
their yoong ones as they should arrive, without failing of a
minute, vpon paine of his indignation. The Mexicans were
much troubled and heavy with this prowde and strict com-
maunde : but their god, as he was accustomed, comforted
them in the night, by one of his priests, saying that he
would take all that charge vpon him, willing them not to
fear, but beleeve that the day would come, whenas the Az-
capuzalcos should pay with their lives this desire of new
tributes. The time being come, as the Mexicaines carried
all that was demaunded of their gardins, among the reeds
and weeds of the gardin, they found a ducke and a heron
hatching their egges, and at the same instant when they
arrived at Azcapuzalco their yong ones were disclosed.
Wherat the king of Azcapuzalco wondring beyond measure,
he said againe to his people, that these were more than
humane beings, and that the Mexicans beganne as if they
would make themselves lordes over all those provinces.
Yet did he not diminish the order of this tribute, and the
Mexicans finding not themselves mighty enough, endured
this subiection and slavery the space of fifty yeeres. In this
time the king Acamapixtli died, having beautified the Citty
of Mexico with many goodly buildings, streets, conduits of
water, and great aboundance of munition. Hee raigned in
peace and rest forty yeares, having bin alwayes zealous for
the good and increase of the common-weale.
As hee drew neare his end, hee did one memorable thing,
that having lawfuU children to whom he might leave the
succession of the realme, yet would he not do it, but con-
trariwise hee spake freely to the common-weale, that as
they had made a free election of him, so they should choose
him that should seeme fittest for their good government,
advising them therein to have a care to the good of the
common-weale, and seeming grieved that he left them not
freed from tribute and subiection^ hee died, having recom-
THE SECOND MEXICAN KING. 471
mended his wife and children vnto them^ he left all his ^^^- ^"•
people sorrowfull for his death.
Chap. x. — Of the second Kingj and luhat happened in his
raigne.
The obsequies of the dead king performed, the Antients,
the chiefe of the realme, and some part of the people assem-
bled together to choose a King, where the Antients pro-
pounded the necessitie wherein they were, and that it was
needefuU to choose for chiefe of their citty, a man that had
pity of age, of widows, and orphans, and to be a father of
the commonweale : for in very deede they should be the
feathers of his wings, the eie-browes of his eyes, and the
beard of his face, that it was necessarie he were valiant,
being needelull .shortly to vse their forces, as their god had
prophesied. Their resolution in the end was to chuse a
Sonne of the predecessor, vsing the like good office in ac-
cepting his Sonne for successor, as hee had done to the
commonweale, relying thereon. This young man was called
Vitzilovitli, which signifieth a rich feather; they set the
royall crowne vpon his head, and annointed him, as they
have beene accustomed to doe to all their Kings, with an
ointment they call Divine, being the same vnction where-
with they did annoy nt their Idoll. Presently an Orator
made an eloquent speech, exhorting him to arme himselfe
with courage, and free them from the travells, slavery, and
misery they suffered, being oppressed by the Azcapuzalcos :
which done, all did him homage. This king was not married,
and his Counsell helde opinion, that it was good to marry
him with the daughter of the king of Azcapuzalco, to have
him a friend by this alliance, and to obtain some diminution
of their heavy burthen of tributes imposed vpon them, and
yet they feared lest he should disdaine to give them his
472 DEATH OF THE SECOND KING.
Lid. vii. daughter, by reason they were his vassalls : yet the king of
Azcapuzalco yeelded therevnto, having humbly required
him, who, with curteous wordes, gave them his daughter,
called Ayauchigual, whom they ledde with great pompe and
ioy to Mexico, and performed the ceremony and solemnity
of marriage, which was to tie a corner of the mans cloke to
a part of the womans vaile in signe of the band of marriage.
This Queene broght foorth a sonne, of whose name they de-
maunded advise of the king of Azcapuzalco, and casting
lots as they had accustomed (being greatly given to sooth-
sayings, especially vpon the names of their children), he
would have his grand-childe called Chimalpopoca, which
signifies a target casting smoke. The Queene, his daughter,
seeing the contentment the King of Azcapuzalco had of his
grand-child, tooke occasion to intreat him to releeve the
Mexicaines of the heavy burthen of their tributes, seeing he
had now a grand-child Mexicaine, the which the King will-
ingly yeelded vnto, by the advise of his Counsell, granting
(for the tribute which they paid) to bring yeerely a couple
of duckes and some fish, in signe of subiection, and that
they dwelt in his land. The Mexicaines, by this meanes,
remained much eased and content, but it lasted little. For
the Queene, their Protectrix, died soone after: and the
yere following, likewise Yitzilovitli, the king of Mexico died,
leaving his sonne, Chimalpopoca, tenne yeares olde ; hee
raigned thirteene yeeres, and died thirty yeeres old, or little
more. Hee was held for a good king, and carefull in the
service of his gods, whose Images hee held kings to be ;
and that the honour done to their god was done to the King
who was his image. For this cause the kings have beene
so affectionate to the service of their gods. This king was
carefull to winne the love of his neighbours, and to traflScke
with them, whereby hee augmented his citty, exercising his
men in warrelike actions in the Lake, disposing them to
that which he pretended, as you shall see presently.
THE THIRD MEXICAN KING. 473
Chap. xi. — Of Chi7nalpopoca, the third lung, and his cruell
death, and the occasion of warre ivhich the
Mexicaines made.
The Mexicaines, for successor to their deceased king, did ^^^- '^"•
choose his sonne Chimalpopoca by common consent, although
he were a child of tenne yeeres old^ being of opinion that it
was alwayes necessary to keepe the favor of the king of
Azcapuzalco, making his grand-childe king. They then set
him in his throane, giving him the ensignes of warre, with
a bowe and arrowes in one hand, and a sword with rasours
(which they commonly vse) in the right, signifying thereby
(as they do say) that they pretended by armes to set them-
selves at liberty. The Mexicaines had great want of water,
that of the Lake being very thicke and muddj^, and there-
fore ill to drincke, so as they caused their infant king to
desire of his grandfather, the king of Azcapuzalco, the
water of the mountaine of Chapultepec, which is from
Mexico a league, as is saide before, which they easely ob-
tained, and by their industry made an aqueduct of faggots,
weeds, and flagges, by the which they brought water to
their citty. But because the Cittie was built within the
Lake, and the aqueduct did crosse it, it did breake forth in
many places, so as they could not inioy the water as they
desired, and had great scarcitie : whervpon, whether they
did expresly seeke it, to quarrell with the Tepanecas, or
that they were mooved vppon small occasion, in the end
they sent a resolute ambassage to the king of Azcapuzalco,
saying they could not vse the water which he had gratiously
granted them, and therefore they required him to provide
them wood, lime, and stone, and to send his workmen, that
by their meanes they might make a pipe of stone and lime
that should not breake. ^.l.'his message nothing pleased the
king, and much lesse his subiects, seeming to be too pre-
Lib. VII.
474 POWER OF MEXICAN KINGS.
samptuous a message, and purposely insolent, for vassals to
their Lord. The chiefe of the Counsell disdaining thereat,
said it was too bold that, not content with permission to
live in an others land, and to have water given them, but
they would have them goe to serve them : what a matter
was that ? And whereon presumed this fugitive nation,
shut vp in the mud ? They would let them know how fit
they were to worke, and to abate their pride in taking from
them their land and their lives.
In these termes and choUer they left the king, whom
they did somwhat suspect, by reason of his grandchild, and
consulted againe anew what they were to doe, where they
resolved to make a generall proclamation that no Tepaneca
should have any commerce or trafficke with any Mexicaine,
that they should not goe to their Cittie, nor receive any
into theirs, vpon paine of death. Whereby we may vnder-
stand that the king did not absolutely commaund over his
people, and that he governed more like a Consul or a Duke
than a King, although since with their power the commaund
of Kings increased, growing absolute Tyrants, as you shal
see in the last Kings. For it hath beene an ordinarie thing
among the Barbarians, that such as their power hath beene,
such hath beene their commaund ; yea, in our Histories of
Spaine we finde in some antient kings that manner of rule
which the Tepanecas vsed. Such were the first kings of
the Komans, but that Rome declined from Kings to Consuls,
and a Senate, till that after they came to be commaunded
by Emperours. But these Barbarians, of temperate Kings
became tyrants, of which governements a moderate monarchy
is the best and most assured. But returne we now vnto our
historie.
The king of Azcapuzalco seeing the resolution of his sub-
iects, which was to kil the Mexicans, intreated them first to
stcale away the yong king, his grand-childe, and afterwards
do what they pleased to the Mexicans. All in a manner
MURDER OF THE THIRD MEXICAN KING. 475
yeelded heerevnto to give the king contenfcment, and for i^ib-^h.
pitty they had of the child ; but two of the chiefest were
much opposite, inferring that it was bad counsell, for that
Chimalpopoca, although hee were of their bloud, yet was it
but by the mothers side, and that the fathers was to be
preferred, and therefore they concluded that the first they
must kill was Chimalpopoca, king of Mexico, protesting so
to doe. The king of Azcapuzalco was so troubled with this
contradiction, and the resolution they had taken, that soone
after for very griefe he fell sicke and died. By whose death
the Tepanecas, finishing their consultation, committed a
notable treason ; for one night the young king of Mexico
sleeping without guard or feare of any thing, they of Azca-
puzalco entred his pallace, and slew him sodaiuly, returning
vnseene. The morning being come, when the Nobles went
to salute the King, as they were accustomed, they found
him slaine with great and cruell wounds ; then they cried
out, and filled all their cittie with teares : and transported
with ch oiler, they presently fell to armes, with an intent to
revenge their Kings death. As they ranne vppe and downe,
full of fury and disorder, one of their chiefest knightes stept
foorth, labouring to appease them, with a grave admonition :
^' Whither goe you,^^ saide hee, '' yee Mexicaines ; quiet
your selves, consider that things done without consideration
are not well guided, nor come to good end : suppresse your
griefe, considering that, although your king be dead, the
noble blood of the Mexicaines is not extinct in him. Wee
have children of our kings deceased, by whose conduct, suc-
ceeding to the real me, you shall the better execute what
you pretend, having a leader to guide your enterprise, go
not blindel}^, surcease, and choose a king first to guide and
encourage you against your enemies. In the meane time
dissemble discreetly, performing the funeralls of your de-
ceased king, whose body you see heere present, for heere-
after you shall finde better meanes to take revenge." Bv
Lib. VII.
476 THE FOURTH MEXICAN KING.
this meanes, the Mexicaines passed no farther, but stayed to
make the obsequies of their King, wherevnto they invited
the Lords of Tezcuco and Culhuacan, reporting vnto them
this foule and cruell fact, which the Tepanecas had com-
mitted, moving them to have pitty on them, and incensing
them against their enemies, concluding that their resolution
v^as to die or to bee revenged of so great an indignitie, in-
treating them not to favour so vniust a fact of their enemies;
and that for their part, they desired not their aide of armes
or men, but onely to bee lookers on of what should passe,
and that for their maintenance they would not stoppe nor
hinder the commerce as the Tepanecas had done. At these
speeches they of Tezcuco and Culhuacan made them great
shewes of good will, and that they were well satisfied, offer-
ing them their citties, and all the commerce they desired,
that they might provide vittaile and munition at their
pleasure, both by land and water. After this, the Mexi-
canes intreated them to stay with them, and assist at the
election of their King; the which they likewise granted, to
give them contentment.
Chap. xit. — Of the fourth Kiiig, called Iscoaltj and of the
warre against the Tepanecas.
The Electors being assembled, an old man that was held
for a great Orator, rose vp, who, as the histories report,
spake in this manner: "The light of your eyes, O Mexicaines,
is darkened, but not of your hearts : for although you have
lost him that was the light and guide of the Mexicaine
Common-weale, yet that of the heart remaines : to consider,
that although they have slaine one man, yet there are others
that may supply with advantage the want we have of him :
the Mexicaine Nobilitie is not extinguished thereby, nor the
blood royall decaied. Turne your eyes and looke about you;
THE FOURTH MEXICAN KING. 477
you shall see the Nobilitie of Mexico set in order, not one ^^^- ^^'•
nor two, but many and excellent Princes, sonnes to Aca-
mapixtli, our true and lawfull King and Lord. Heere you
may choose at your pleasure, saying, I will this man, and
not that. If you have lost a father, heere you may find
both father and mother : make account, Mexicaines, that
the Sunne is eclipsed and darkened for a time, and will
returne suddenly. If Mexico hath beene darkened by the
death of your King, the Sunne will soon shew, in choosing
another King. Looke to whom, and vpon whom you shall
cast your eyes, and towards whom your heart is inclined,
and this is hee whom your god Yitzlipuztli hath chosen.'"
And continuing a while this discourse, he ended to the
satisfaction of all men. In the end, by the consent of this
Counsell, Izcoalt was chosen King, which signifies a snake
of rasors,-^ who was Sonne to the first King Acamapixtli, by
a slave of his : and although he were not legitimate, yet
they made choyce of him, for that he exceeded the rest in
behaviour, valour, and magnanimitie of courage. All seemed
very well satisfied, and above all, these of Tescuco, for their
king was married to a sister of Iscoalt. After the King
had beene crowned and set in his royall seat, another Ora-
tor stept up, discoursing how the king was bound to his
Common-weale, and of the courage he ought to shew in
travell, speaking thus : '^ Behold this day we depend on
thee ; it may be thou wilt let fall the burthen that lies vpon
thy shoulders, and suffer the old man and woman, the orphan
and the wide we to perish. Take pittie of the infants that
go creeping in the ay re, who must perish if our enemies sur-
mount vs ; vnfold then and stretch forth thy cloake, my
Lord, to beare these infants vpon thy shoulders, which be
the poore and the common people, who live assured under
the shadowe of thy wings, and of thy bountie.^^ Yttering
many other words vpon this subiect, the which (as I have
» " Culebra de navajas."
478 THE WARRIOR TLACAELLEL.
Lib. VII. said) they learne by hearty for the exercise of their children,
and after did teach them as a lesson to those that beganne
to learne the facultie of Orators. In the meane time, the
Tepanecas were resolute to destroy the Mexicaines, and to
this end they had made great preparations. And therefore
the new King tooke counsell for the proclaiming of warre,
and to fight with those that had so much wronged them.
But the common people, seeing their adversaries to exceede
them farre in numbers and munition for the warre, they
came amazed to their King, pressing him not to vndertake
so dangerous a warre, which would destroy their poor Cittie
and Nation : wherevpon being demaunded what advise were
fittest to take, they made answer that the King of Azcap-
uzalco was very pittifull, that they should demand peace,
and offer to serve him, drawing them forth those marshes,
and that he should give them houses and lands among his
subiects, that by this meanes they might depend all vppon
one Lord. And for the obtaining heereof, they should
carry their god in his litter for an intercessor. The cries of
the people were of such force (having some Nobles that ap-
proved their opinion), as presently they called for the
Priests, preparing the litter and their god, to perform the
voyage. As this was preparing, and every one yeelded to
this treatie of peace, and to subiect themselves to the Tepa-
necas, a gallant yong man, and of good sort, stept out
among the people, who, with a resolute countenance, spake
thus vnto them : '' What meanes this, yea Mexicaines,
are yee mad ? How hath so great cowardise crept in among
vs ? Shall we go and yeeld ourselves thus to the Azcap-
uzalcos.^^ Then turning to the King, he said : " How now,
ray Lord, will you endure this ? Speak to the people, that
they may suffer vs to finde out some meanes for our honour
and defence, and not to yeelde our selves so simply and
shamefully into the hands of our enemies.^' This yong man
was called Tlacaellel, nephew to the King, he was the most
THE WARRIOR TLACAELLEL. 470
valiant Captainerand greatest Counsellor that ever the Mex- ^'^^- "«'"•
icaines had, as you shall see heereafter. Izcoalt, incouraged
by that his nephew had so wisely spoken, retained the
people, saying they should first suffer him to try another
better meanes. Then turning towards his Nobilitie, he said
vnto them : " You are all heere, my kinsmen, and the best of
Mexico, hee that hath the courage to carrie a message to
the Tepanecas, let him rise vp.'^ They looked one vpon
another, but no man stirred nor offered himselfe to the word.
Then this yong man, Tlacaellel, rising, offered himselfe to
go, saying, that seeing he must die, it did import little
whether it were to-day or to-morrow : for what reason should
he so carefully preserve himselfe ? he was therefore readie,
let him command what he pleased. And although all held
this for a rash attempt, yet the King resolved to send, him,
that he might thereon vnderstand the will and disposition
of the King of Azcapuzalco and of his people ; holding it
better to hasten his nephew's death, then to hazard the
honour of his Common-weale. Tlacaellel being ready,
tooke his way, and being come to the gards, who had com-
maundement to kill any Mexicaines that came towards them
by cunning or otherwise : he perswaded them to suffer him
to passe to the king, who wondered to see him, and hear-
ing his ambassage, which was to demand peace of him
vnder honest conditions, answered, that hee would impart
it to his subiects, willing him to returne the next day for
his answer ; then Tlacaellel demanded a passport, yet could
he not obtaine any, but that he should vse his best skill.
With this he returned to Mexico, giving his words to the
guards to returne. And, although the King of Azcapuzalco
desired peace, being of a milde disposition, yet his subiects
did so incense him, as his answer was open warre. The
which being heard by the messenger, he did all his King
commanded him, declaring by this ceremony to give armes,
and anointing the King with the vnction of the dead, that
480 MEXICAN WAR WITH TAPANECA.
Lib. vit. j^ ^jg Kings behalfe he did defie him. Having ended all,
the King of Azcapuzalco suffering himselfe to be anointed
and crowned with feathers, gi^i^o goodly armes in recom-
pence to the messenger, wishing him not to returne by the
pallace gate, whereas many attended to cut him in peeces,
but to go out secretly by a little false posterne that was
open in one of the courts of the Pallace. This yong man
did so, and turning by secret waies, got away in safetie in
sight of the guards, and there defied them, saying, '^ Tepa-
necas and Azcapuzalcas, you do your oflSce ill ; vnderstand
you shall all die, and not one Tepaneca shall remaine alive."
In the meane time the guardes fell vpon him, where he be-
haved him selfe so valiantly, that hee slew some of them :
and seeing many more of them come running, hee retyred
himselfe gallantly to the Cittie, where he brought newes
that warre was proclaimed with the Tepanecas, and that
hee had defied their King.
Chap. xiii. — Of the hattell the Mexicaines gave to the Tepan-
ecas, and of the victorie they obtained.
The defie being knowne to the Commons of Mexico, they
came to the king, according to their accustomed cowardise,
demaunding leave to departe the Citty, holding their ruin
certaine. The king didde comfort and incourage them,
promising to give them libertie if they vanquished their
enemies, willing them not to feare. The people replied :
^^ And if we be vanquished what shall we doe?" ^^ If we
be overcome (aunswered the king) we will be bound pre-
sently to yeeld ourselves into your hands to suffer death,
eate our flesh in your dishes, and be revenged of vs.'^ " It
shall be so then (saide they) if you loose the victorie, and
if you obtain the victorie, we do presently offer our selves
to be your Tributaries, to labour in your houses, to sowe
your ground, to carrie your armes and baggage when you
VICTORY OVER THE TEPANECAS. 481
goe to the warres for ever, wee and our descendants after ^"•
vs/' These accordes made betwixt the people and the
nobilitie (which they did after fully performe^ eyther will-
ingly or by constraint, as they had promised), the king
named for his captain generall Tlacaellel, the whole camp
was put in order, and into squadrons, giving the places of
captaines to the most valiant of his kinsfolkes and friends :
then did hee make them a goodly speech, whereby he did
greatly incourage them, being now wel prepared, charging
all men to obey the commaundement of the Generall whome
he had appoynted : he divided his men into two partes,
commanding the most valiant and hardie to give the first
charge with him, and that all the rest should remaine with
the king Izcoatl, vntil they should see the first assaile their
enemies. Marching then in order, they were discovered
by them of Azcapuzalco, who presently came furiously foorth
the citty, carrying great riches of gold, silver, and armes of
great value, as those which had the empire of all that coun-
try. Izcoatl gave the signall to battaile, with a little
drumme he carried on his shoulders, and presently they
raised a general showt, crying Mexico, Mexico, they charged
the Tapanecans, and although they were farre more in num-
ber, yet did they defeate them, and force them to retire
into their Cittie ; then advaunced they which remained
behinde, crying Tlacaellel, victorie, victorie, all sodainely
entred the Citty, where (by the Kings comraandement) they
pardoned not any man, no not olde men, women, nor chil-
dren, for they slew them all, and spoyled the Citty, being
very rich. And not content heerewith, they followed them
that fled, and were retired into the craggy rocks of the
Sierras or neere mountaines, striking and making a great
slaughter of them. The Tapanecans being retired to a
mountaine, cast downe their armes, demaunding their lives,
and ofi'ering to serve the Mexicaines, to give them lands
and gardins, stone, lime and timber, and to hold them
I I
VII.
Lib. VII,
482 VICTORY OVER THE TEPANECAS.
alwayes for their Lordes. Ypon this condition Tlacaellec
retired his men, and ceased the battell^ graunting them
their Uves upon the former conditions^ which they did
solemnely sweare. Then they returned to Azcapuzalco, and
so with their rich and victorious spoiles to the cittie of
Mexico. The day following the king assembled the Nobil-
itie and the people, to whom he laid open the accord the
Commons had made, demaunding of them if they were con-
tent to persist therin : the Commons made answer that they
had promised, and they had well deserved it, and therefore
they were content to serve them perpetually. Wherevpon
they took an othe, which since they have kept without con-
tradiction.
This done, Izcoatl returned to Azcapuzalco (by the advise
of his counsell), he divided all the lands and goods of the
conquered among the conquerours, the chiefest parte fell to
the King, then to Tlacaellel, and after to the rest of the
Nobles, as they best deserved in the battell. They also
gave land to some plebeians, having behaved themselves
valiantly ; to others they distributed the pillage, making
small account of them as of cowardes. They appointed lands
in common for the quarters of Mexico, to every one his part,
for the service. and sacrifices of their gods. This was the
order, which after they alwayes kept, in the division of the
lands and spoyles of those they had vanquished and sub-
dewed. By this meanes they of Azcapuzalco remained so
poore, as they had no lands left them to labor, and (which
was worse) they tooke their king from them, and all power
to chuse any other then him of Mexico.
WAR WITH CUYOACAN. 483
Chap. xiv. — Of the warre and victory the Mexicaines had
against the Cittie of Guyoacan.
Although the chiefe cittie of the Tepanecas was that of
Azcapuzalco_, yet had they others with their private Lordes,
as Tucuba and Cuyoacan. These seeing the storme passed,
would gladly that they of Azcapuzalco had renewed the
warre against the Mexican s^ and seeing them danted, as a
nation wholy broken and defeated_, they of Cuyoacan re-
solved to make warre by themselves ; to the which they
laboured to draw the other neighbor nations, who would not
stir nor quarrell with the Mexicans. In the meane time the
hatred and malice increasing, they of Cuyoacan beganne to
ill intreate the women that went to their markets^ mocking
at them, and doing the like to the men over whom they had
power : for which cause the king of Mexico defended,^ that
none of his should goe to Cuyoacan, and that they should
receive none of them into Mexico, the which made them of
Cuyoacan resolve wholy to warre : but first they would pro-
voke them by some shamefull scorne, which was, that having
invited them to one of their solemn feasts, after they had
made them a goodly banquet, and feasted them with a great
daunce after their manner, they sent them, for their fruite,
womens apparell, forcing them to put it on, and so to re-
turne home like women to their cittie, reproching them,
that they were cowards and effeminate, and that they durst
not take armes, being suflSciently provoked. Those of
Mexico say, that for revenge they did vnto them a fowle
scorn e, laying at the gates of their cittie of Cuyoacan cer-
taine things which smoaked,^ by meanes whereof many
women were delivered before their time, and many fell
si eke. In the end, all came to open warre, and there was a
battell fought, wherein they imployed all their forces, in
* "Vedo." - " Ciertos humazos."
I l2
Lib. VII.
484 WAR WITH CUYOACAN.
Lib. VII. the wliicli Tlacaellel, by his courage and policie in warre,
obtained the victory. For, having left king Izcoatl in
fight with them of Cuyoacan, he put himselfe in ambush
with some of the most valiant souldiers, and so turning
about charged them behind, and forced them to retire into
their citty. But seeing their intent was to flie into a
temple, which was verie strong, he, with three other valiant
souldiers, pursued them eagerly, and got before them, seising
on the temple and firing it, so as he forced them to flie to the
fields, where he made a great slaughter of the vanquished,
pursuing them two leagues into the countrey, vnto a litle
hillj where the vanquished, casting away their weapons and
their armes across, yeelded to the Mexicans, and with many
teares craved pardon of their overweening follie, in vsing
them like women, offering to bee their slaves : so as^ in the
end, the Mexicaines did pardon them. Of this victory the
Mexicaines carried away very rich spoiles of garments,
armes, gold^ silver, iewells, and rich feathers, with a great
number of captives. In this battaile there were three of the
principals of Culhuacan that came to aide the Mexicaines to
winne honour, the which were remarkable above all. And
since being knowen to Tlacaellel, and having made proofe
of their fidelities he gave them Mexicaine devises, and had
them alwayes by his side, where they fought in all places
very valiantly. It was apparant that the whole victory was
due to the Generall and to these three ; for, among so
many captives taken, two third partes were wonne by these
foure, which was easily knowen by a policie they vsed : for,
taking a captive, they presently cut off a little of his haire
and gave it to others, so as it appeared that those which had
their haire cut, amounted to that number, whereby they
wonne great reputation and fame of valiant men. They
were honoured as conquerors, giving them good portions
of the spoils and lands, as the Mexicans have alwayes vsed
to doe, which gave occasion to those that did fight to be-
come famous, and to winne reputation by armes.
WAR WITH THE SDCHIMILCOS. 485
Chap. xv. — Of the warre and victorie which the Mexicans had
against the Suchimilcos.
The Nation of the Tepanecas being subdewed, the Mexi- •^^°- '^"•
caines had occasion to do the like to the SachimilcoSj who
(as it hath beene saide) were the first of the seven caves or
Hneages that peopled this land. The Mexicans sought not
the occasion_, although they might presume as conquerors
to extend their limits^ but the Suchimilcos didde moove
them, to their owne ruine, as it happens to men of small
iudgement that have no foresight^ who not preventing the
the mischefe they imagined, fall into it. The Suchimilcos
held opinion that the Mexicans, by reason of their victories
past, should attempt to subdue them, and consulted heereon
amongst themselves. Some among them thought it good
to acknowledge them for superiors, and to applaude their
good fortune, but the contrary was allowed, and they went
out to give them battel ; which Izcoatl the king of Mexico
vnderstanding, he sent his General Tlacaellel against them,
with his army ; the battell was fought in the same field
that divides their limites, which two armies were equall in
men and armes, but very divers in their order and manner
of fighting; for that the Suchimilcos charged all together
on a heape confusedly, and Tlacaellel divided his men into
squadrons with a goodly order, so as he presently brake his
ennemies, forcing them to retire into their cittie, into the
which they entred, following them to the Temple whither
they fled, which they fiered, and forcing them to flie vnto
the mountainesj in the end they brought them to this
poynt, that they yeelded with their armes acrosse. The
General! Tlacaellel returning in great triumph, the priests
went foorth to receive him, with their musicke of flutes,
and giving incense. The chiefs Captaines vsed other cere-
monies and shews of ioy, as they had bin accustpmed to
486 CONQUEST OF CUITLAVACA.
Lib. VII. doe_, and the king with all the troupe went to the Temple,
to give thanks to their false god, for the divell hath alwayes
beene very desirous hereof, to challenge to himselfe the
honor which he deserves not, seeing it is the true God
which giveth victories, and maketh them to rule whome he
pleaseth. The day following king Tzcoatl went vnto the
citty of Suchimilco, causing himselfe to be sworne king of
the Suchimilcos ; and for their comfort he promised to doe
them good. In token whereof hee commaunded them to
make a great cawsey stretching from Mexico to Suchimilco,
which is foure leagues, to the end there might bee more
commerce and trafficke amongest them. Which the Suchi-
milcos performed, and in shorte time the Mexicaine governe-
ment seemed so good vnto them, as they helde themselves
happy to have changed their king and commonweale.
Some neighbors, pricked forward by envy or feare to their
mines, were not yet made wise by others miseries.
Cuitlavaca was a citty within the lake, which though the
name and dwelling be chaunged, continueth yet. They
were active to swimme in the lake, and therefore they
thought they might much indomage and annoy the Mexi-
caines by water, which the King vnderstanding, hee resolved
to send his army presently to fight against them. But
Tlacaellel little esteeming this warre, holding it dishonorable
to lead an army against them, made offer to conquer them
with the children onely, which he performed in this manor;
he went vnto the Temple and drew out of the Convent such
children as he thought fittest for this action, from tenne to
eighteene yeeres of age, who knew how to guide their
boates or canoes, teaching them certaine polhcies. The
order they held in this warre was, that he went to Cuitlavaca
with his children, where by his pollicy hee pressed the
ennemy in such sorte, that hee made them to flie ; and as
he followed them, the lord of Cuitlavaca mette him and
yeelded vnto him, himselfe, his citty, and his people, and by
SUBMISSION OF TEZCUCO. 487
this meanes he stayed the pursuite. The children returned ^^^- '^'"•
with much spoyle^ and many captives for their sacrifices,
being solemnely received with a great procession, musike
and perfumes, and they went to worshippe their gods, in
taking of the earth which they did eate, and drawing blood
from the forepart of their legges with the Priests lancets,
with other superstitions which they were accustomed to vse
in the like solemnities. The children were much honoured
and incoraged, and the king imbraced and kissed them, and
his kinsmen and alies accompanied them. The bruite of
this victorie ranne throughout all the country, how that
Tlacaellec had subdued the city of Cuitlavaca with children;
the news and consideration whereof opened the eyes of
those of Tezcuco, a chiefs and very cunning Nation for
their manner of life; So as the king of Tezcuco was first
of opinion, that they should subiect themselves to the
king of Mexico, and invite him therevnto with his cittie.
Therefore by the advise of his Counsell, they sent Am-
bassadors, good Orators, with honorable presents, to offer
themselves vnto the Mexicans, as their subiects, desiring
peace and amitie, which was gratiously accepted ; but by
the advise of Tlacaellec he vsed a ceremony for the effecting
thereof, which was that those of Tezcuco should come
forth armed against the Mexicans, where they should fight,
and presently yeelde, which was an act and ceremony of
warre, without any effusion of bloud on either side. Thus
the king of Mexico became soveraigne Lord of Tezcaco,
but hee tooke not their kiug from them, but made him of
his privie counsell, so as they have alwayes maintained
themselves in this manner vntill the time of Mote^uma the
second, during whose raigne the Spaniards entred. Having
subdued the land and citty of Tezcuco, Mexico remained
Lady and Mistris of all the landes and citties about the
Lake, where it is built. Izcoatl having enioyed this pros-
peritie, and raigned twelve yeeres, died, leaving the realme
Lib. VII.
488 THE FIFTH MEXICAN KING.
which had beene given him much augmented by the valour
and counsell of his nephew Tlacaellel (as hath afore beene
saide) who held it best to choose an other king then him-
selfe, as shall heereafter be shewed.
Chap. xvi. — Of the fift King of Mexico, called MonteQuma,
the first of that name.
Forasmuch as the election of the new King belonged to
foure chiefe Electors (as hath been said), and to the King of
Tezcuco, and the King of Tacuba, by especiall priviledge ;
Tlacaellel assembled these six personages, as he that had
the soveraigne authoritie, and having propounded the matter
vnto them_, they made choise of Monteguma, the first of that
name, nephew to the same Tlacaellel. His election was
very pleasing to them all, by reason whereof they made
most solemne feasts, and more stately then the former.
Presently after his election, they conducted him to the
Temple with a great traine, where before the divine harth
(as they call it) where there is continuall fire, they set him
in his royall throne, putting vpon him his royall ornaments.
Being there, the King drew blood from his eares and the
calves of his legs, and his shins, with certain pointed
instruments of a tiger and of a deer, used for that pur-
pose, which was the sacrifice wherein the divell delighted
to be honoured. The Priests, Antients, and Captaines
made their orations, all congratulating his election. They
were accustomed in their elections to make great feasts
and dances, where they wasted many lightes. In this
Kings time the custome was brought in, that the King
should go in person to make warre in some province,
and bring captives to solemnize the feast of his corona-
tion, and for the solemne sacrifices of that day. For
this cause King Monteguma went into the province of
WAR WITH CHALCO. 489
ChalcOj inhabited by a warlike people; from whence (having ^^=-
fought valiantly) he brought a great number of captives,
whereof he did make a notable sacrifice the day of his
coronation, although at that time he did not subdue all the
province of Chalco, being a very warlike nation. Many
came to this coronation from divers provinces, as well neere
as farre off, to see the feast, at the which all commers were
very bountifully entertained and clad, especially the poore,
to whom they gave new garments. For this cause they
brought that day into the cittie, the Kings tributes, with
a goodly order, which consisted in stuffes to make garments
of all sorts, in cacao, gold, silver, rich feathers, great
burthens of cotton, cucumbers, sundry sortes of pulses,
many kindes of sea fish, and of the fresh water, great store
of fruites, and venison without number, not reckoning an
infinite number of presents, which other kings and lords
sent to the new king. All this tribute marched in order
according to the provinces, and before them the stewards
and receivers, with divers markes and ensignes, in very
goodly order ; so as it was one of the goodliest things of
the feast, to see the entry of the tribute. The King being
crowned, he imploied himselfe in the conquest of many
provinces, and for that he was both valiant and vertuous,
bee still increased more and more, vsing in all his affaires
the counsell and industry of his generall Tlacaellel, whom
he did alwaies lov« and esteeme very much, as hee had good
reason. The warre wherein hee was most troubled and of
greatest difficultie, was that of the province of Chalco,
wherein there happened great matters, whereof one was
very remarkable, which was, that they of Chalco had taken
a brother of Montezuma in the warres, whome they re-
solved to choose for their king, asking him very curteously
if he would accept of this charge. He answered (after
much importunity, still persisting therein), that if they
meant plainely to choose him for their king, they should
VII.
490 MEXICAN CONQUESTS.
Lib. VII. plant in fhe market place a tree or very high stake,, on the
toppe whereof they should make a little scaffold, and meanes
to mount vnto it. The Chalcos supposing it had beene
some ceremony to make himselfe more apparent^ presently
effected it ; then assembling all his Mexicaines about the
stake^ he went to the toppe with a garland of flowers in his
hand^ speaking to his men in this manor, '^ valiant Mexi-
caines, these men will choose mee for their King ; but the
gods will not permit that to be a King I should coramitte
any treason against my countrie, but contrariwise, I wil that
you learne by me that it behoveth vs rather to indure death
then to ayde our enemies.'^ Saying these wordes he cast
himselfe downe, and was broken in a thousand peeces, at
which spectacle the Chalcos had so great horror and dispite,
that presently they fell vpon the Mexicaines and slew them
all with their launces, as men whom they held too prowde
and inexorable, saying, they had divelish hearts. It chanced
the night following, they heard two owles making a mourne-
full cry, which they did interpret as an vnfortunate signe,
and a presage of their neere destruction, as it succeeded ;
for King Montezuma went against them in person with all
his power, where he vanquished them, and ruined all their
kingdome ; and passing beyond the Sierra Nevada, hee
conquered still even vnto the North sea. Then returning
towards the South sea, hee subdued many provinces, so as
he became a mighty King, all by the helpe and counsell of
Tlacaellel, who in a manner conquered all the Mexicaine
nation. Yet hee held an opinion (the which was confirmed)
that it was not* behoovefull to conquer the province of Tlas-
calla, that the Mexicaines might have a fronter enemy, to
keepe the youth of Mexico in exercise and allarme ; and
that they might have numbers of captives to sacrifice to
their idols, wherein they did waste (as hath beene said)
infinite numbers of men, which should bee taken by force
in the warres. The honour must be given to Monteguma, or
ELECTION OF THE SIXTH KING. 491
to speake truly, to Tlacaellel his Generall, for the good lib. vi
order and policy setled in the realme of Mexico,, as also for
the counsells and goodly enterprises which they did execute;
and likewise for the numbers of Judges and Magistrates,
being as well ordered there as in any common-weale; yea,
were it in the most flourishing of Europe. This King did
also greatly increase the King's house, giving it great
authoritie, and appointing many and sundry officers, which
served him with great pompe and ceremony. Hee was no
lesse remarkable touching the devotion and service of his
idolls, increasing the number of his Ministers and instituting
new ceremonies, wherevnto hee carried a great respect.
Hee built that great temple dedicated to their god Yitzil-
ipuztli, whereof is spoken in the other Booke. He did
sacrifice at the dedication of this temple, a great number of
men, taken in sundry victories : finally inioying his Empire
in great prosperitie ; hee fell sicke, and died, having
raigned twenty-eight yeares, vnlike to his successor Ticocic,
who did not resemble him, neither in valour, nor in good
fortune.
Chap. xvii. — How Tlacaellel refused to he King, and of
the election and deedes of Ticocic.
The foure Deputies assembled in counsell, with the lords
of Tezcuco and Tacuba, where Tlacaellel was President
in the election, where by all their voices Tlacaellel was
chosen, as deserving this charge better than any other. Yet
he refused it, perswading them by pertinent reasons that
they should choose another, saying, that it was better and
more expedient to have another king, and he to be his
instrument and assistant, as hee had beene till then, and
not to lay the whole burthen vpon him, for that he held
himselfe no lesse bound for the Common-weale, then if hee
492 ELECTION OF THE SIXTH KING.
Lis. VII. were king. It is a rare thing to refuse principalitie and
commaundj and to indure the paine and the care, and not
to reape the honour. There are few that will yeeld vp the
power and authority which they may hold, were it profitable
to the common-weale. This Barbarian did heerein exceed
the wisest amongst the Greekes and Romans, and it may be
a lesson to Alexander and lulius Caesar, whereof the one
held it little to command the whole world, putting his most
deere and faithfull servants to death vpon some small
iealosies of rule and empire : and the other declared him-
selfe enemy to his country, saying, that if it were lawfall to
do anything against law and reason, it was for a kingdome :
such is the thirst and desire of commaund. Although this
acte of Tlacaellels might well proceede from too great a
confidence of himselfe, seeming to him, though he were not
king, yet in a manor that he commanded kings, sufiering
him to carry certaine markes, as a tiara or ornament
for the head, which belonged onely to themselves. Yet this
act deserves greater commendation, and to be well con-
sidered of, in that ho held opinion to be better able to serve
his common-weale as a subiect, then being a soveraigne
Lord. And as in a comedie he deserves most commend-
ation that represents the personage that imports most, bee
it of a sheepheard or a peasant, and leave the King or Cap-
taine to him that can performe it : so in good Philosophy,
men ought to have a special regard to the common good,
and apply themselves to that office and place which they
best vnderstand. But this philosophic is farre from that
which is practised at this day. But let vs return to our
discourse, and say, that in recompense of his modestie, and
for the respect which the Mexicaine Electors bare him, they
demanded of Tlacaellel (that seeing he would not raigne)
whom he thought most fit : wherevpon he gave his voice to
a Sonne of the deceased king, who was then very yong,
called Ticocic : but they replied that his shoulders were
THE SEVENTH KING. 493
veiy weake to beare so heavy a burthen. TIacaellel answered
that he was there to help him to beare the burthen, as he
had done to the deceased : by meanes whereof they
tooke their resolution, and Ticocic was chosen, to whom
were done all the accustomed ceremonies.
They pierced his nosthrils, and for an ornament put an
emerald therein : and for this reason, in the Mexicaine
bookes, this king is noted by his nosthrills pierced. Hee
differed much from his father and predecessor, being noted
for a coward, and not ^^aliant. He went to make warre for
his coronation, in a province that was rebelled, where he
lost more of his own men then hee tooke captives ; yet he
returned, saying, that hee brought the number of captives
required for the sacrifice of his coronation, and so hee was
crowned with great solemuitie. But the Mexicaines, dis-
contented to have a king so little disposed to warre, prac-
tised to hasten his death by poison. For this cause hee
continued not above fourej^eares in the kingdome : whereby
wee see that the children do not alwaies follow the blood
and valour of their fathers ; and the greater the glorie
of the predecessors hath beene, the more odious is the
weakenes and cowardise of such that succeed them in com-
mand, and not in merit. But this losse was well repaired
by a brother of the deceased, who was also sonne to great
Montezuma, called Axayaca, who was likewise chosen by the
advice of TIacaellel, wherein hee happened better than
before.
Lib. VII,
Chap, xviii. — Of the death of TIacaellel , and the deedes
of Axayaca, the seventh King of Mexicaines.
Now was TIacaellel very old, who by reason of his age,
he was carried in a chaire upon mens shoulders, to assist in
counsell when busines required. In the end hee fell sicke,
whenas the king (who was not yet crowned), did visit him
494 WAE IN TEHUANTEPEC.
Lib. VII. often, sheading many teares, seeming to loose in him his
father, and the father of his countrie. Tlacaellel did most
affectionately recommend his children vnto him, especially
the eldest, who had showed himselfe valiant in the former
warres. The king promised to have regard vnto him, and the
more to comfort the olde man, in his presence he gave him the
charge and ensignes of Captaine Generall, with all the pre-
eminences of his father ; wherewith the old man remained
so well satisfied, as with this content he ended his daies. If
hee had not passed to another life, -they might have held
themselves very happy, seeing that of so poore and small a
cittie, wherein he was borne, he established, by his valour
and magnanimitie, so great, so rich, and so potent a king-
dome. The Mexicans made his funerall, as the founder
of that Empire, more sumptuous and stately, then they had
done to their former kings. And presently after Axayaca,
to appease the sorrow which all the people of Mexico
shewed for the death of their captaine, resolved to make the
expedition necessary for his coronation. Hee therefore led
his army with great expedition into the province of Tehuan-
tepec, two hundred leagues from Mexico, where he gave
battaile to a mighty army and an infinite number of men
assembled together, as well out of that province, as from
their neighbours, to oppose themselves against the Mexi-
cans. The first of his campe that advanced himselfe to the
combate, was the King himselfe, defying his ennemies, from
whome hee made shewe to fly when they charged him,
vntill he had drawne them into an ambuscadoe, where
many souldiers lay hidden vnder straw, who suddenly issued
forth, and they which fled, turned head : so as they of
Tehuantepec remained in the midst of them, whom they
charged furiously, making a great slaughter of them : and
following their victory, they razed their citty and temple,
punishing all their neighbours rigorously. Then went they
on farther, and without any stay, conquered to Guatulco,
WAR WITH TLATELLULCO. 495
the which is a port at this day well knowne in the South ^^^- '^"•
sea. Axayaca returned to Mexico with great and rich
spoiles, where he was honourably crowned, with sumptuous
and stately preparation of sacrifices, tributes, and other
things, whither many came to see his coronation. The
Kings of Mexico received the crowne from the hands of the
King of Tezcuco, who had the preeminence. He made
many other enterprises, where he obtained great victories,
being alwaies the first to leade the army, and to charge the
enemy ; by the which hee purchased the name of a most
valiant captaine : and not content to subdue strangers, he
also suppressed his subiects which had rebelled, which
never any of his predecessors ever could doe, or durst
attempt. We have already shewed how some seditious of
Mexico had divided themselves from that common-weale,
and built a cittie neare vnto them, which they called
Tlatellulco, whereas now Santiago is.
These being revolted, held a faction aparte, and encreased
and multiplied much, refusing to acknowledge the kings of
Mexico, nor to yeeld them obedience. The king Axayaca
sent to advise them not to live divided, but being of one
bloud, and one people, to ioyne together, and acknowledge
the king of Mexico : wherevpon the Lorde of Tlatellulco
made an aunswere full of pride and disdaine, defieing the
king of Mexico to single combat with himselfe : and pre-
sently mustred his men, commaunding some of them to hide
themselves in the. weeds of the Lake; and the better to
deceive the Mexicans, he commaunded them to take the
shapes of ravens, geese, and other beasts, as frogs, and such
like, supposing by this meanes to surprise the Mexicans as
they should passe by the waies and cawsies of the Lake.
Having knowledge of this defiance, and of his adversaries
policie, he divided his army, giving a part to his generall,
the Sonne of Tlacaellel, commaunding him to charge this
ambuscadoe in the Lake ; and he with the rest of his people.
496 WAR WITH TLATELLULCO.
Lid. VII. ]jy g^j^ vnfrequented way, went and incamped before
Tlatellulco. Presently Lee called him who had defied him to
performe his promise, and as the two Lordes of Mexico and
Tlatellulco advaunced, they commaunded their subiects not
to moove, vntill they had seene who should be conquerour,
which was done, and presently the two Lordes in countered
valiantly, where having fought long, in the end the Lorde
of Tlatellulco was forced to turne his backe, being vnable to
indure the furious charge of the king of Mexico. Those of
Tlatellulco seeing their captain e flie, fainted, and fled like-
wise, but the Mexicans following them at the heeles, charged
them furiously : yet the Lord of Tlatellulco escaped not the
hands of Axayaca, for thinking to sshvo himselfe, he fled to
the toppe of the temple, but Axayaca folowed hira so neere,
as he seised on him with great force, and threw him from
the toppe to the bottome, and after set fire on the temple
and the cittie. Whilest this passed at Tlatellulco, the Mex-
icane generall was very hote in the revenge of those that
pretended to defeate him by pollicie, and after he had
forced them to yeelde, and to cry for mercy, the general
sayed he would not pardon them vntil they had first
performed the offices of those figures they represented,
and therefore he would have them crie like frogges and
ravens, every one according to the figure which he had
vndertaken, else they had no composition : which thing he
did to mocke them with their own policie. Feare and
necessitie be perfect teachers ; so as they did sing and crie
with all the differences of voyces that were commaunded
them, to save their lives, although they were much grieved
at the sport their enimies made at them. They say that
vnto this day, the Mexicans vse to ieast at the Tlatellulcans,
which they beare impatiently, when they putte them in
minde of this singing and crying of beasts. King Axayaca
tooke pleasure at this scorne and disgrace, and presently
after they returned to Mexico with great ioy. This king
WAR WITH QUAXUTATLAN. 497
was esteemed for one of the best that had commauuded in ^"' ^"•
Mexico. Hee raigned eleaven yeares, and one succeeded
that was much inferiour vnto him in valour and vertue.
Chap. xtx. — Of the deedes of Autzol the eighth King of
Mexico.
Among the foure Electors that had power to chuse whome
they pleased to be king, there was one indued with many
perfections, named Autzol. This man was chosen by the
rest, and this election was very pleasing to all the people :
for besides that he was valiant, all held him curteous and
affable to every man, which is one of the chief qualities
required in them that commaund, to purchase love and
respect. To celebrate the feast of his coronation, hee re-
solved to make a voyage, and to punish the pride of those of
Quaxutatlan, a very rich and plentifull province, and at this
day the chiefe of New Spaine. They had robbed his officers
and stewards, that carried the tribute to Mexico, and there-
withall had rebelled. There was great difficulty to reduce
this Nation to obedience, lying in such sort, as an arme of
the sea stopt the Mexicans passage : to passe the which,
Autzol (with a strange device and industry) caused an Hand
to be made in the water, of faggots, earth, and other mat-
ter; by meanes whereof, both hee and his men might passe
to the enemy, where giving them battell, he conquered them
and punished them at his pleasure. Then returned hee
vnto Mexico in triumph, and with great riches, to bee
crowned King, according to their custome. Autzol ex-
tended the limits of his kingdome farre, by many conquests,
even vnto Guatimala, which is three hundred leagues
from Mexico. He was no less liberall than valiant : for
whenas the tributes arrived (which as I have saide) came in
great aboundaunce, hee went foorth of his pallace, gathering
K K
498 WILES OF A SORCERER.
Lib. VII. together all the people into one place, then commaanded he
to bring all the tributes, which hee divided to those that
had neede. To the poore he gave stufFes to make apparrell,
and meate, and whatsoever they had neede of in great
aboundaunce, and things of value, as golde, silver, iewels,
and feathers, were divided amongst the captaines, souldiers,
and servants of his house, according to every man's merite.
This Autzol was likewise a great polititian, hee pulled
downe the houses ill built, and built others very sumptuous.
It seemed vnto him that the city of Mexico had too litle
water, and that the lake was very muddy, and therefore hee
resolved to let in a great course of water, which they of
Cuyoacan vsed. For this cause he called the chiefe man of
the cittie vnto him, being a famous sorcerer; having pro-
pounded his meaning vnto him, the sorcerer wished him to
be well advised what hee did, being a matter of great diffi-
culty, and that hee vnderstoode, if he drew the river out of
her ordinary course, making it passe to Mexico, hee would
drowne the citty. The king supposed these excuses were
but to frustrate the effect of his designe, being therefore
in choler, he dismissed him home ; and a few dayes after
hee sent a provost to Cuyoacan, to take this sorcerer : who,
having understanding for what intent the king's officers
came, he caused them to enter his house, and then he pre-
sented himself vnto them in the forme of a terrible eagle,
wherewith the provost and his companions being terrified,
they returned without taking him. Autzol, incensed here-
with, sent others, to whome hee presented himselfe in forme
of a furious tygre, so as they durst not touch him. The
third came, and they found him in the forme of a horrible
serpent, whereat they were much afraide. The king mooved
the more with these dooiugs, sent to tell them of Cuj^oacan,
that if they brought not the sorcerer bound vnto him, he
would raze their citty. For feare whereof, or whether it
were of his owne free will, or being forced by the people.
SUPPLY OF WATER TO MEXICO. 499
he suffered himselfe to be led to the kinge, who presently '^^^^
caused him to be strangled^ and then did he put his reso-
lution in practise^ forcing a chanell whereby the water
might passe to Mexico^ whereby hee brought a great cur-
rent of water into the la^e, which they brought with great
ceremonies and superstitions, having priests casting incense
along the banks, others sacrificed quailes, and with the
blond of them sprinckled the channell bankes, others
sounding of cornets, accompanied the water with their
musicke. One of the chiefe went attired in a habite like to
their goddesse of the water, and all saluted her^, saying,
that shee was welcome. All which things are painted in
the Annales of Mexico : which booke is now at Rome in
the holy library, or Yaticane, where a father of our company,
that was come from Mexico, did see it, and other histories,
the which he did expound to the keeper of his Holinesse
library, taking great dehght to vnderstand this booke^
which before hee could never comprehend. Finally, the
water was brought to Mexico, but it came in such abound-
aunce, that it had welneere drowned the cittie, as was fore-
told : and in effect it did mine a great parte thereof, but it
was presently prevented by the industry of Autzol, who
caused an issue to be made to draw foorth the water : by
meanes whereof hee repaired the buildings that were fallen,
with an exquisite worke, being before but poore cottages.
Thus he left the citty invironed with water, like another
Venice, and very well built : he raigned eleven yeares,
and ended with the last and greatest successor of all the
Mexicans.
Chap. xx. — Of the election of great Montequma, the last
King of Mexico,
When the Spaniards entered new Spaine, being in the
yeare of our Lorde one thousand five hundred and eighteen,
K k2
500 CHARACTER OP MONTEZUMA.
Lib. VII. Montequma, second of that name, was the last king of the
Mexicaines ; I say the last, although they of Mexico, after
his death, chose another king, yea, in the life of the same
Monte9uma, whom they declared an enemy to his country,
as we shall see hereafter. But he that succeeded him, and
hee that fell into the hands of the Marquis del Yalle,-*^ had
but the names and titles of Kings, for that the kingdome
was in a manor al yeelded to the Spaniards : so as with
reason we account Montezuma for the last king, and so hee
came to the periode of the Mexicaine's power and great-
nesse, which is admirable, being happened among Bar-
barians : for this cause, and for that this was the season
that God had chosen to reveale vnto them the knowledge
of his Gospel, and the kingdome of lesus Christ, I will re-
late more at large the actes of Montezuma, then of the rest.
Before he came to be king, he was by disposition very
grave and stayed, and spake little, so as when he gave his
opinion in the privy counsell, whereat he assisted, his
speeches and discourses made every one to admire him, so
as even then he was feared and respected. He retired
himselfe usually into a Chappell, appointed for him in the
Temple of Vitzilipuztli, where they said their Idoll spake
vnto him ; and for this cause hee was helde very religious
and devout. For these perfections then, being most noble
and of great courage, his election was short and easie, as a
man upon whom al men's eyes were fixed, as woorthy of
such a charge. Having intelligence of this election, hee
hidde himselfe in this chappell of the Temple, whether it
were by iudgement (apprehending so heavy and hard a
burthen as to govern such a people), or rather, as I believe,
through hypocrisie, to show that he desired not Empire. In
the end they found him, and led him to the place of coun-
cell, whither they accompanied him with all possible ioy.
Hee marched with such a gravitie, as they all sayd the name
of Monte9uma agreed very wel with his nature, which is as
' Hernan Cortes.
SPEECH OF THE KING OF TEZCUCO. 501
much to say_, an angry Lord. The electors did him great ^^^- ^n.
reverence, giving him notice that hee was chosen king :
from thence he was ledde before the harth of their gods, to
give incense, where he offered sacrifices in drawing bloud
from his eares, and the calves of his legges, according to
their custome. They attired him with the royall ornaments_,
and pierced the gristle of his nostrils, hanging thereat a
rich emerald, a barbarous and troublous custom, but the
desire of rule made all paine light and easy. Being seated
in his throne, he gave audience to the Orations and Speeches
that were made vnto him, which, according vnto their
custome were eloquent and artificiall. The first was pro-
nounced by the King of Tezcuco, which, being preserved,
for that it was lately delivered, and very worthy to be
heard, I will set it downe word by word, and thus hee
sayde : ^^ The concordance and vnitie of voyces upon thy
election, is a suflScient testimonie (most noble yong man) of
the happines the realme shall receive, as well deserving to
be commaunded by thee, as also for the generall applause
which all doe show by means thereof Wherein they have
great reason, for the Empire of Mexico doth alreadie so
farre extend it selfe, that to governe a world, as it is, and
to beare so heavy a burthen, it requires no lesse dexteritie
and courage, than that which is resident in thy firm and
valiant heart, nor of lesse wisedome and iudgement than
thine. I see and know plainely, that the mightie God
loveth this Cittie, seeing he hath given vnderstanding to
choose what was fit. For who will not believe that a
Prince, who before his raigne had pierced the nine vaultes
of heaven, should not likewise nowe obtaine those things
that are earthlie to releeve his people, aiding himselfe with
his best iudgement, being thereunto bound by the dutie
and charge of a king. Who will likewise beleeve that the
great courage which thou hast alwaies valiantly showed in
matters of importance, shuld now faile thee in matters of
502 SPEECH OF THE KING OF TEZCUCO.
Lib. VII. greatest need ? Who will not perswade himselfe but the
Mexicaine Empire is come to the height of their sove-
raignetie^ seeing* the Lorde of things created hath imparted
so great graces vnto thee^ that with thy looke onelie thou
breedest admiration in them that beholde thee ? Rejoice,
then, happy land, to whom the Creator hath given a
Prince, as a firme pillar to support thee, which shall be thy
father and thy defence, by whom thou shalt be succoured
at neede, who wil be more than a brother to his subiects,
for his pietie and clemencie. Thou hast a king, who in
regard of his estate is not inclined to delights, or will lie
stretched out upon his bed, occupied in pleasures and vices;
but contrariwise in the middest of his sweete and pleasant
sleepe, hee will sodainely awake, for the care he must have
over thee, and will not feele the taste of the most savourie
meates, having his spirites transported with the imagination
of thy good. Tell mee, then (0 happy realme), if I have
not reason to say that thou oughtest reioyce, having found
such a King. And thou noble yong man, and our most
mightie Lorde, be confident, and of good courage, that
seeing the Lorde of things created hath given thee this
charge, hee will also give thee force and courage to man-
nage it : and thou maiest well hope, that he which in times
past hath vsed so great bountie towardes thee, wil not now
denie thee his greater gifts, seeing he hath given thee so
great a charge, which I wish thee to enioy manie yeares.
King MonteQuma was very attentive to this Discourse, which,
being ended, they say he was so troubled, that indevouring
thrice to answer him, hee could not speake, being overcome
with teares, which ioy and content doe vsually cause, in
signe of great humilitie. In the end, being come to him-
selfe, he spake briefly, ^^ I were too blinde, good king of
Tezcuco, if I did not know, that what thou hast spoken
vnto me, proceeded of meere favour, it pleaseth you to show
me, seeing among so manie noble and valiant men within
HOUSEHOLD OF MONTEZUMA. 503
this realme_, you have made choise of the least sufficient : ^^^- ^"•
and in trueth_, I find myself so incapable of a charge of so
great importance, that I know not what to doe, but to
beseech the Creator of all created things, that he will
favour mee, and I intreate you all to pray unto him for me/^
These words uttered, hee began again to weepe.
Chap. xxi.. — IIoiu Montezuma ordered the service of his houses
arid of the ivarre hee made for his coronation.
He that in his election made such shew of humilitie
and mildenes, seeing himselfe king, beganne presently to
discover his aspiring thoughts. The first was, he com-
maunded that no plebeian should serve in his house, nor
beare any royall office, as his predecessours had vsed till
then ; blaming them that would be served by men of base
condition, commaunding that all the noble and most famous
men of his realme should live within his pallace^ and exer-
cise the offices of his court, and house. Wherevnto an olde
man of great authoritie (who had sometimes beene his
Schoolemaister) opposed himselfe, advising him to be care-
full what hee did, and not to thrust himselfe into the danger
of a great inconvenience, in separating himselfe from the
vulgare and common people, so as they should not dare to
looke him in the face, seeing themselves so reiected by him.
He answered, that it was his resolution, and that he would
not allow the plebeians to goe thus mingled among the
Nobles, as they had doone, saying that the service they did
was according to their condition, so as the kings got no
reputation, and thus he continued firme in his resolution.
Hee presently commanded his counsell to dismisse all the
plebeians from their charges and offices, as well those of his
houshold as of his court, and to provide knightes, the which
was done. After, he went in person to an enterprise neces-
Lib. VII,
504 CORONATION OF MONTEZUMA.
sary for his coronation. At that time a province lying farre
off towards the North Ocean was revolted from the crowne,
whither he led the flower of his people, well appointed.
There he warred with such valour and dexteritie that in the
end he subdued all the province, and punished the rebells
severely, returning with a great number of captives for the
sacrifices and many other spoiles. All the citties made him
solemne receptions at his returne, and the Lords thereof
g-ave him water to wash, performing the offices of servants,
a thing not vsed by any of his predecessors. Such was the
feare and respect they bare him. In Mexico they made the
feasts of his coronation with great preparations of dances,
comedies, banquets, lights, and other inventions for many
daies. And there came so great a wealth of tributes from
all his countries that strangers vnknowne came to Mexico,
and their very enemies resorted in great numbers disguised
to see these feasts, as those of Tlascala and Mechoacan :
the which Montequma having discovered, he commanded
they should be lodged and gently in treated, and honoured
as his own person. He also made them goodly galleries
like vnto his owne, where they might see and behold the
feasts. So they entred by night to those feasts, as the
king himselfe, making their sportes and maskes. And for
that I have made mention of these provinces, it shall not be
from the purpose to vnderstand that the inhabitants of
Mechoacan, Tlascala, and Tepeaca, would never yeelde to
the Mexicans, but did alwaies fight valiantly against them ;
yea, sometimes the Mechoacans did vanquish the Mexicans,
as also those of Tepeaca did. In which place the Marquis
Don Fernando Cortes, after that he and the Spaniards were
expelled Mexico, pretended to build their first cittie, the
which he called (if I remember rightly) Segura de la Fron-
tera. But this peopling continued little : for having after-
wards reconquered Mexico, all the Spaniards went to inha-
bite there. To conclude, those of Tepeaca, Tlascala, and
GOVERNMENT OF MONTEZUMA. 505
Mechoacan have beene alwaies enemies to the Mexicans, lib. vn.
although MonteQuma said vnto Cortes that he did purposely
forbeare to subdue them, to have occasion to exercise his
men of warre, and to take numbers of captives.
Chap. xxii. — Of the heJiaviour and greatnes of Monteguma.
This King laboured to be respected, yea, to be worshipped
as a god. No Plebeian might looke him in the face ; if he
did, he was punished with death : he did never set his foote
on the ground, but was alwaies carried on the shoulders of
Noblemen ; and if he lighted, they laid rich tapestry where-
on he did go. When he made any voyage, hee and the
Noblemen went as it were in a parke compassed in for the
nonce, and the rest of the people went without the parke,
invironing it in on every side ; hee never put on a garment
twice, nor did eate or drinke in one vessell or dish above
once j all must be new, giving to his attendants that which
had once served him : so as commonly they were rich and
sumptuous. He was very carefull to have his lawes ob-
served. And when he returned victor from any warre, he
fained sometimes to go and take his pleasure, then would
he disguise himselfe, to see if his people (supposing if he
weare absent) would omitte any thing of the feast or recep-
tion. If there were any excesse or defect, he then did
punish it rigorously. And also to discerne how his minis-
ters did execute their offices, he often disguised himselfe,
offering giftes and presents to the iudges, provoking them
to do iniustice. If they offended, they were presently
punished with death, without remission or respect, were
they Noblemen or his kinsmen ; yea, his owne brethren.
He was little conversant with his people, and seldome
scene, retyring himselfe most commonly to care for the
506
SIGNS AND WONDERS.
Lib. VII. government of his realme. Besides that hee was a great
iusticier and very noble, hee was very valiant and happy,
by meanes whereof hee obtained great victories, and came
to this greatnes, as is written in the Spanish histories,
whereon it seemes needelesse to write more. I will onely
have a care heereafter to write what the bookes and histo-
ries of the Indies make mention of, the which the Spanish
writers have not observed^ having not sufficiently vnder-
stood the secrets of this country, the which are things very
worthy to be knowne^ as we shall see heereafter.
Deut.
xxviii.
Hier. X.
Lib. ix de
demonstra.
Evangel.
Monst. i.
2 Mac. 5.
Chap, xxiii. — Of the presages and strange prodigies which
happened in Mexico before the fall of their Empire.
Although the holy Scripture forbids vs to give credite to
signes and vaine prognostications, and that S. lerome doth
admonish vs not to feare tokens from heaven, as the Gen-
tiles do : yet the same Scripture teacheth vs that monstrous
and prodigious signes are not altogether to bee contemned,
and that often they are fore-runners of some generall
changes and chasticements which God will take, as Euse-
bius notes well of Cesarea. For that the same Lord of
heaven and earth sondes such prodiges and new things in
heaven, in the elements, in beasts, and in his other crea-
tures, that this might partly serve as an advertisement to
men, and to be the beginning of the paine and chastise-
ment, by the feare and amazement they bring. It is written
in the second booke of Macabees that before that great
change and persecution of the people of Israel, which was
caused by the tyranny of Antiochus, surnamed Epiphanes,
whome the holy Scriptures call the root of sinne/ there were
scene for forty dayes together thorowout all lerusalem great
squadrons of horsemen in the ayre, who with their armour
guilt, their lances and targets, and vppon furious horses,
SIGNS AND WONDERS. 507
with their swordes drawne did strike, skirmish and incoun- ^i^- ^'"•
ter one against the other : and they say that the inhabitants i Mac. i.
of Jerusalem seeing this, they prayed to our Lord to appease
his wrath, and that these prodegies might turne to good.
It is likewise written in the booke of Wisedome^ That when Sap. vii.
God would drawe his people out of Egypt, and punish the
Egyptians, some terrible and fearefull visions appeared vnto
them_, as fires seene out of time in horrible formes. loseph
in his booke of the lewish warres sheweth many and great
wonders going before the destruction of Jerusalem, and the
last captivitie of his wicked people^ whome Grod iustly ab-
horred : and Eusebius of Cesarea. with others, alleado^e the Euseb.,iib.
1, de eccles.
same texts, authorizing prognostications. The Histories ^^^t.
are full of like observations in great changes of states and
commonwe^iles, as Paulus Orosius witnesseth of many : and
without doubt this observation is not vaine nor vnprofit-
able j for although it be vanitie, yea, superstition, forbidden
by the lawe of our God, lightly to beleeve these signes and
tokens, yet in matters of great moment, as in the changes
of nations, kingdoms, and notable laws, it is no vaine
thing, but rather certaine and assured, to beleeve that the
wisdom e of the most High dooth dispose and suffer these
things, foretelling what shoulde happen, to serve (as I have
saide) for an advertisement to some and a chasticement to
others, and as a witnes to all, that the king of heaven hath
a care of man : who as he hath appointed great and fearefull
tokens of that great change of the world, which shall bee the
day of iudgement, so doth it please him to send wonderful
signes to demonstrate lesser changes in divers partes of the
world, the which are remarkable, whereof he disposeth
according to his eternall wisdome. Wee must also vnder-
stand that although the divell be the father of lies, yet the
King of Glorie makes him often to confesse the trueth
against his will, which hee hath often declared for very Mat. i.
feare, as hee did in the desart by the mouth of the pos- ^^^^ iv.
508 PROPHETS OF EVIL.
Lib. VII. sessed_, crying, that lesus was the Saviour come to destroy
r~ him, as he did bv the Pythoness, who saide that Paul
Acts XXVI. J ,1 3
preached the true God, as when he appeared and troubled
Pilate^s wife, whom he made to mediate for lesus a iust
man. And as many other histories besides the holy Scrip-
ture gave diverse testimonies of idols^ in approbation of
christian religion^ wherof Lactantius, Prosperus_, and others
make mention. Let them reade Eusebius in his bookes of
the preparation of the Gospel^ and those of his demonstra-
tions where he doth amply treate of this matter. I have
purposely spoken this, that no man should contemne what
is written in the Histories and Annales of the Indies touch-
ing presages and strange signes, of the approching end
and ruine of their kingdome, and of the Divelles tyranny,
whom they worshipped altogether. Which in ,my opinion
is worthy of credite and beliefe, both for that it chanced
late_, and the memory is yet fresh, as also for that it is
likely that the Divell lamented at so great a change, and
that God by the same meanes begane to chastice their
cruell and abominable idolatries. I will therefore set them
downe heere as true things. It chanced that Montezuma
having raigned many yeers in great prosperity, and so
pufft vp in his conceit, as hee caused himselfe to be served
and feared, yea, to be worshipped as a god, that the
Almighty Lord beganne to chastice him, and also to admo-
nish him, suffering even the very Divelles whome he wor-
shipped to tell him these heavy tidings of the ruine of his
kingdome, and to torment him by visions, which had never
bin seen ; wherewith hee remained so melancholy and
troubled, as he was voyde of iudgement. The idoll of those
of Cholula, which they called Quetzalcoatl, declared that a
strange people came to possesse his kingdomes. The king
of Tezcuco (who was a great Magitian, and had conference
with the Divell) came one day at an extraordinarie houre to
visite Montezuma, assuring him that his gods had tolde him
A TALKING STONE. 509
that there were great losses preparing for him and for
his whole realme : many witches and sorcerers went and
declared as much ; amongst which there was one did very
particularly foretell him what should happen : and as he
was with him hee tolde him that the pulses of his feete and
hands failed him. Montezuma, troubled with these news,
commanded all those sorcerers to be apprehended : but
they vanished presently in the prison, wherewith hee grewe
into such a rage, that hee might not kill them, as hee putte
their wives and children to death, destroying their houses
and families. Seeing himselfe importuned and troubled
with those advertisements, he sought to appease the anger
of his gods : and for that cause hee laboured to bring a
huge stone, thereon to make great sacrifices. For the
effecting whereof hee sent a great number of people with
engines and instruments to bring it : which they could by no
meanes moove, although (being obstinate) they had broken
many instruments. But as they strove still to raise it they
heard a voyce ioyning to the stone, which said they laboured
in vaine, and that they should not raise it, for that the
Lorde of things created would no more suffer those things
to be doone there. Montecuma, vnderstanding this, com-
maunded the sacrifice to be perfourmed in that place, and
they say the voyce spake againe : ^^ Have I not told you
that it is not the pleasure of the Lord of things created that
it should be done : and that you may well know that it is
so, I will suffer my selfe to be transported a little, then
after you shall not moove mee^\ Which happened so in-
deede ; for presently they carried it a small distance with
great facility, then afterwards they could not moove it, till
that after many prayers it suffered it selfe to be transported
to the entry of the citty of Mexico, where sodainly it fel
into the Lake, where, seeking for it, they could not finde it,
but it was afterwards found in the same place from whence
they had remooved it, wherewith they remayned amazed
Lib. VII.
Lib. vir.
510 EVIL OMENS.
and confounded. At the same time there appeared in the
heavens a great flame of fire^ very bright^ in the forme of a
Pyramide, which beganne to appeare at midnight, and went
still mounting vntill the Sunne rising in the morning,
where it stayed at the South, and then vanished away. It
shewed it self in this sort the space of a whole yeare, and
ever as it appeared the people cast foorth great cries as
they were accustomed, beleeving it was a presage of great
misfortune. It happened also that fire tooke the Temple,
whenas no body was within it, nor neare vnto it, neither
did there fall any lightning or thunder : wherevpon the
guardes crying out, a number of people ran with water, but
nothing could helpe, so as it was all consumed ; and they
say the fire seemed to come forth of peeces of timber, which
kindled more by the water that was cast vpon it. There
was a Comet scene in the day time, running from the west
to the east, casting an infinite number of sparkles, and they
say the forme was like to a long taile, having three heads.
The great lake betwixt Mexico and Tezcuco, without any
wind, earthquake, or any other apparent signe, beganne
sodainely to swell, and the waves grewe in such sort, as all
the buildings neare vnto it fell downe to the ground. They
say at that time they heard many voices, as of a woman in
paine, which sayde sometimes, '^ my children, the time of
your destruction is come", and otherwhiles it sayde, ^^ my
children, whither shall I carry you, that you perish not
utterly ?^^ There appeared, likewise, many monsters with
two heads, which, being carried before the king, sodainely
vanished. There were two that exceeded all other monsters,
being very strange ; the one was, the fishers of the lake
tooke a bird as bigge as a crane, and of the same colour,
but of a strange and vnseene form.- They caried it to
Montezuma, who at that time was in the pallace of tears and
mourning, which was all hanged with blacke, for as he had
many palaces for his recreation, so had he also others for
EVIL OMENS. 511
times of affliction^ wherewith hee was then heavily charged ^ib. vn.
and tormented, by reason of the threatnings his gods had
given him by these sorrowfull advertisements. The fishers
came about noone^ setting this bird before him, which had
on the toppe of his head a thing bright and transparent^ in
forme of a looking glasse, wherein he did behold a warre-
like nation comming from the east^ armed_, fighting, and
killing. He called his Divines and Astronomers (whereof
there was a great number), who, having seen these things,
and not able to yeelde any reason of what was demaunded
of them, the bird vanished away, so as it was never more
scene : wherevpon Montezuma remained very heavy and
sorrowfull. The other which happened was a labourer, who
had the report of a very honest man, came vnto him, telling
him, that being the day before at his worke, a great Eagle
flew towardes him, and tooke him vppe in his talents,
without hurting him, carying him into a certaine cave,
where it left him ; the Eagle pronouncing these words,
" Most mightie Lorde, I have brought him whome thou
hast commaunded me". This Indian labourer looked about
on every side, to whome hee spake, but hee sawe no man.
Then he heard a voyce which sayde vnto him, '^ Doost thou
not knowe this man, whome thou seest lying vpon the
ground^^j and looking thereon, he perceived a man lie very
heavy asleepe, with royall ensignes, floures in his hand, and
a staffe of perfumes burning, as they are accustomed to vse
in that countrey, whome the labourer beholding, knew it
was the great king Montecuma, and answered presently :
'' Great Lorde, this resembles our King MonteQuma/' The
voyce saide againe, ^* Thou saiest true, behold what he is,
and how he lies asleepe, carelesse of the great miseries and
afflictions prepared for him. It is nowe time that he pay
the great number of offences hee hath doone to God, and
that he receive the punishment of his tyrannies and great
pride, and yet thou seest how carelesse hee lies, blinde in
512 EVIL OMENS.
Lib. VII.
his owne miseries, and without any feeling. But to the end
thou maiest the better see him, take the staffe of perfumes
hee holdes burning in his hand, and put it to his face, thou
shalt then find him without feeling/' The poore laborer
durst not approach neere him, nor doe as he was com-
maunded, for the great feare they all hadde of this king.
But the voyce saide, '^ Have no feare, for I am without
comparison greater than this King, I can destroy him, and
defend him, doe therefore what I commaund thee." Where-
vpon the laborer took the staffe of perfumes out of the
king's hand, and put it burning to his nose, but he mooved
not, nor showed any feeling.
This done, the voice said vnto him, that seeing he had
found the king so sleepy, he should go awake him, and tell
him what he had seene. Then the Eagle, by the same
commandment, tooke the man in his talents, and set him
in the same place where he found him, and for accomplish-
ment of that which it had spoken, hee came to advertise
him. They say, that Montezuma looking on his face, found
that he was burnt, the which he had not felt till then,
wherewith he continued exceedingly heavy and troubled.
It may be, that what the laborer reported, had happened
vnto him by imaginary vision. And it is not incredible,
that God appointed by the meanes of a good Angell, or
suffered by a bad, that this advertisement should be given
to the labourer for the king's chasticement, although an
infidell, seeing that we read in the Holy Scriptures, that
infidells and sinners have had the like apparitions and
revelations, as Nabucadonosor, Balaam, and the Pithoness
Dan. ii. of Saul. And if some of these apparitions did not so ex-
Num. xxu. presly happen, yet, without doubt, MonteQuma had many
xxvifi. great afflictions and discontentments, by reason of sundry
and divers revelations which he had, that his kingdome
and law should soon end.
ARRIVAL OF THE SPANIARDS. 513
Chap. xxiv. — Of the newes Montec^uma received of the
Spaniards arrival in his Country, and of the
Amhassage he sent them.
In the fourteenth yeare of the raigne of Montecuma, Lib.vh.
which was in the yeare of our Lord 151 7^ there appeared
in the North seas, shippes, and men landing, whereat the
subiects of MonteQuma wondred muchj and desirous to
learne, and to be better satisfied what they were, they
went aboord in their canoes, carrying many refreshings
of meats and stuffes to make apparrell, vpon colour to sell
them. The Spaniards received them into their shippes,
and in exchange of their victualls and staffes, which were
acceptable vnto them, they gave them chaines of false
stones, red, blew, greene, and yellow, which the Indians
imagined to be precious stones. The Spaniards informing
themselves who was their king, and of his great power,
dismissed them, willing them to carry those stones vnto
their lord, saying, that for that time they could not goe to
him, but they would presently returne and visit him. Those
of the coast went presently to Mexico with this message,
carrying the representation of what they had scene painted
on a cloth, both of the shippes, men, and stones which they
had given them. King Montezuma remained very pensive
with this message, commanding them not to reveale it to
any one. The day following, he assembled his counsell,
and having showed them the painted clothes and the
chaines, he consulted what was to be done ; where it was
resolved to set good watches vpon all the sea coastes, to
give present advertisement to the king of what they should
discover. The yeare following, which was in the beginning
of the yeare 1518, they discovered a fleet at sea, in the
which was the Marques del Yalle Don Fernando Cortes, with
his companions, a newes which much troubled Monte-
L L
Lin. VII.
514 RECEPTION OF CORTES.
^ama^ and conferring with his counsel!, they all said, that
without doubt, their great and antient Lord Quetzalcoatl
was come, who had saide, that he would returne from the
East, whither he was gone. The Indians held opinion,
that a great Prince had in times past left them, and pro-
mised to returne. Of the beginning and ground of which
opinion shall be spoken in another place. They therefore
sent five principall Ambassadors with rich presents, to con-
gratulate his comming, saying, they knewe well that their
great Lord Quetzalcoatl was come, and that his servant
Montecuma sent to visit him, for so hee accounted himselfe.
The Spaniards vnderstood this message by the meanes of
Marina, an Indian woman whom they brought with them,
and vnderstood the Mexicane tongue. Fernando Cortes
finding this a good occasion for his entry, commanded to
deck his chamber richly, and being set in great state and
pompe, he caused the Ambassadors to enter, who omitted
no showes of humilitie, but to worshippe him as their god.
They delivered their charge, saying, that his servant
MonteQuma sent to visit him, and that he held the country
in his name as his lievetenant; that he knew well it was
the Topilcin which had beene promised them many yeares
since, who should returne again vnto them. And therefore
they brought him such garments as he was wont to weare,
when hee did converce amongst them, beseeching him to
accept willingly of them, offering him many presents of
great value. Cortes receiving the presents, answered that
he was the same they spake of, wherewith they were greatly
satisfied, seeing themselves to be curteously received and
intreated by him (for in that, as wel as in other things, this
valiant captaine deserved commendations) ; that if this
course had been continued, to win them by love, it seemed
the best occasion was off"ered that might be devised, to
draw this country to the Gospel by peace and love : but
the sinnes of these cruel homicides and slaves of Satan
RETURN OF THE AMBASSADORS. 515
required punishment from heaven, as also those of many ^^°-
Spaniards, which were not in small number. Thus the
high iudgements of God disposed of the health of this
nation, having first cut off the perished rootes : and as the
Apostle saieth, the wickednes and blindenes of some, hath Rom. xi.
beene the salvation of others. To conclude, the day after
this Ambassage, all the Captaines and Commanders of the
fleete came vnto the Admirall, where vnderstanding the
matter, and that this realme of Montezuma was mightie and
rich : it seemed fit to gaine the reputation of brave and
valiant men among this people, and that by this meanes
(although they were few), they should bee feared and re-
ceived into Mexico. To this end they discharged all their
artillerie from their shippes, which being a thing the
Indians had never heard, they were amazed, as if heaven
had fallen vpon them. Then the Spaniards beganne to
defie them to fight with them : but the Indians not daring
to hazard themselves, they did beate them and intreate
them ill, showing their swordes, lances, partisans, and
other armes, wherewith they did terrifie them much. The
poore Indians were by reason heereof so fearefull and
amazed, as they changed their opinion, saying, that their
Lord Topilcin came not in this troup. But they were some
gods (their enemies), come to destroy them. Whenas the
Ambassadors returned to Mexico, MonteQuma was in the
house of audience ; but before he would heare them, this
miserable man commanded a great number of men to be
sacrificed in his presence, and with their blood to sprinkle
the Ambassadors, supposing by this ceremony (which they
were accustomed to do in solemne Ambassages), to receive
a good answer. But vnderstanding the report and inform-
ation of the maner of their shippes, men, and armes, he
stoode perplexed and confounded : then taking counsell
thereon, he found no better meanes then to labour to
stoppe the entrie of these strangers by coniurations and
L L 2
516 TERROR OF MONTEZUMA.
LiB.vir. ixiRgicke Artes. They had accustomed often to vse this
meanes_, having great conference with the divell, by whose
helpe they sometimes obtained strange effects. They there-
fore assembled together all the Sorcerers, Magicians, and
Inchanters, who being perswaded by Monteguma, they
tooke it in charge to force this people to returne vnto their
country. For this consideratioUj they went to a certaine
place which they thought fit for the invocation of their
divells, and practising their artes (a thing worthy of con-
sideration), they wrought all they could; but seeing no-
thing could prevaile against the Christians, they went to
the king, telling him that they were more than men, for
that nothing might hurt them, notwithstanding all their
coniurations and inchantments. Then Monte(^uma advised
him of another pollicie, that faining to be very well con-
tented with their comraing, he commanded all his countries
to serve these celestiall gods that were come into his land.
The whole people was in great heavinesse and amazement,
and often newes came that the Spaniards inquired for the
King, of his manner of life, of his house and meanes. He
was exceedingly vexed herewith ; some of the people and
other Necromancers advised him to hide himselfe, offering
to place him whereas no creature should ever finde him.
This seemed base vnto him, and therefore he resolved to
attend them, although it were dying. In the end he left
his houses and royall pallaces to lodge in others, leaving
them for these gods as he said.
Chap. xxv. — Of the Spaniards entrie into Mexico.
I pretende not to intreate of the acts and deedes of the
Spaniards who conquered New Spaine, nor the strange ad-
ventures which happened vnto them, nor of the courage
and invincible valour of their Captaine Don Fernando
MONTEZUMA^S STRATEGY. 51 7
Cortes : for that there are many histories and relations ^^^•
thereof, as those which Fernando Cortes himselfe did write
to the Emperour Charles the fift, ahhough they be in a
plaine stile and farre from arrogancie_, the which doe give a
sufficient testimony of what did passe, wherein he was
worthy of eternall memory, but onely to accomplish my inten-
tion. I am to relate what the Indians report of this action,
the which hath not to this day beene written in our vulgar
tong. Montecuma therefore^ having notice of this Captaines
victories, that he advanced for his conquest^ that hee was
confederate and ioyned with them of Tlascala^ his capital!
enemies, and that he had severely punished them of Cholula
his friends, he studied how to deceive him, or else to try
him in sending a principall man vnto him, attyred with the
like ornaments and royall ensignes, the which shuld take
vpon him to be Montecuma, which fiction being discouered
to the Marquis by them of Tlascala (wbo did accompany
him), he sent him backe, after a milde and gentle reprehen-
sion^ in seeking so to deceive him : wherevpon Montezuma
was so confounded, that for the feare thereof_, he returned
to his first imaginations and practises, to force the chris-
tians to retyre, by the invocation of coniurers and witches.
And therefore he assembled a greater number then before,
threatning them that if they returned without effecting
w^hat he had given them in charge, not any one should
escape^ wherevnto they all promised to obey. And for this
cause all the divells officers went to the way of Chalco, by
the which the Spaniards should passe, when, mounting to
the top of a hill, Tezcatlipuca, one of their principall gods_,
appeared vnto them, as comming from the Spaniards camp^
in the habite of Chalcas, who had his breast bound about
eight folde with a corde of reeds^ hee came like a man
beside himselfe, out of his wits, and drunke with rage and
furie. Being come to this troupe of witches and coniurers,
he staied, and spake to them in great choller_, ^^Why come
Lib. VII.
518 MEETING OF CORTES AND MONTEZUMA.
you hither : what doth Montegama pretend to doe by your
meanes ? He hath advised himselfe too late : for it is now
determined that his Kingdom and honour shall be taken
from him, with all that he possesseth^ for punishment of the
great tyrannies he hath committed against his subjects,
having governed not like a Lord, but like a traitour and
tyrant/' The inchanters and coniurers, hearing these words,
knew it was their idoll, and, humbling themselves before
him, they presently built him an altar of stone in the same
place, covering it with flowers which they gathered there-
aboutes, but he contrariwise, making no account of these
things, beganne againe to chide them, saying, ^' What come
you hither to do, yee traitours ? Returne presently and
behold Mexico, that you may vnderstand what shall become
thereof '\ And they say that, turning towards Mexico to
behold it, they did see it flaming on fire. Then the divell
vanished away, and they, not dariug to passe any farther,
gave notice thereof to Montezuma, whereat he remained long
without speaking, looking heavily on the ground ; then he
said. What shall we doe if god and our friends leave vs, and
contrariwise, they helpe and favour our enemies ? I am
now resolute, and we ought all to resolve in this point,
that happen what may, we must not flie nor hide ourselves,
or shew any signe of cowardice. I onely pittie the aged
and infants, who have neither feete nor hands to defend
themselves. Having spoken this, he held his peace, being
transported into an extasie. In the end the Marquis ap-
proaching to Mexico, Montezuma resolved to make of neces-
sitie a vertue, going three or foure leagues out of the cittie
toreceivehimwith a great maiesty, carried vpon the shoulders
of foure Noblemen, vnder a rich canopie of gold and
feathers: when they mette, Montecuma discended, and they
saluted one another very curteously. Don Fernando Cortes
said vnto him that he should not care for any thing, and
that he came not to take away his real me, nor to diminish
IKTERVIEW WITH MONTEZUMA. 519
his authoritie. Montecuma lodged Cortes and his com- ^^^•
panions in his royall pallace, the which was very stately,
and he himselfe lodged in other private houses. This night
the souldiers for ioy discharged their artillery, wherewith
the Indians were much troubled, being vnaccustomed to
heare such musicke. The day following Cortes caused
MonteQuma and all the Nobles of his Court to assemble
in a great hall, where, being set in a high chaire, he
said vnto them that hee was servant to a great prince,
who had sent them into these countries to doe good
workes, and that having found them of Tlascala to be his
friendes (who complained of wrongs and greevances done
vnto them daily by them of Mexico), he would vnderstand
which of them was in the blame, and reconcile them, that
heereafter they might no more afflict and warre one against
another : and in the meane time he and his bretheren
(which were the Spaniards) would remaine still there with-
out hurting them : but contrariwise, they would helpe them
all they could. He laboured to make them all vnderstand
this discourse, vsing his interpreters and truchmen. The
which being vnderstoode by the King and the other Mexi-
cane Lords, they were wonderfully well satisfied, and shewed
great signes of love to Cortes and his company. Many
hold opinion that if they had continued the course they
began that day, they might easily have disposed of the king
and his kingdome, and given them the law of Christ with-
out any great effusion of bloud. But the iudgements of
God are great, and the sins of both parties were infinite :
so as not having followed this course, the busines was de-
ferred : yet in the end God shewed mercy to this nation,
imparting vnto them the hght of his holy Gospel, after he
had shewed his iudgement, and punished them that had
deserved it, and odiously offended his divine reverence.
So it is that by some occasions many complaints, griefs,
and iealosies grew on either side. The which Cortes find-
620 RISING OF THE MEXICANS.
Lib. VII. jj^g^ £^j2(j i\^Q^^ f\^Q Indians mindes began to be distracted
from them^ lie thought it necessary to assure himself, in
laying hand vpon king Montezuma, who was seazed on, and
his legs fettered. Truly this act was strange vnto all men,
and like vnto that other of his, to have burnt his ships, and
shut himselfe in the midst of his enemies, there to vanquish
or to die. The mischiefe was, that by reason of the vnex-
pected arrival of Pamphilo de Narvaez at Vera Cruz,
drawing the country into mutiny, Cortes was forced to
absent himselfe from Mexico, and to leave poor Montezuma
in the handes of his companions, who wanted discretion,
nor had not moderation like vnto him ; so as they grew to
that discention, as there was no meanes to pacific it.
Chap. xxvi. — Of the death of Montezuma, and the Spaniards
departure out of Mexico.
Whenas Cortes was absent from Mexico, he that re-
mained his lievetenant resolved to punish the Mexicans
severely, causing a great number of the nobilitie to be
slaine at a maske which they made in the pallace, the which
did so far exceede, as all the people mutinied^ and in a
furious rage took armes to be revenged and to kil the
Spaniards. They therefore besieged them in the pallace,
pressing them so neere, that all the hurt the Spaniards
could do them with their artillery and crosse-bowes, might
not terrific them, nor force them to retyre from their enter-
prise, where they continued many dales, stopping their
victualls, nor suffering any one to enter or issue forth.
They did fight with stones, and cast dartes after their
manor, with a kind of lances like vnto arrow es, in the
which there are foure or six very sharpe rasors, the which
are such (as the histories report) that in these warres an
Indian with one blow of these rasors almost cut off the
RISING OF THE MEXICANS. 521
necke of a horse ; and as they did one day fight y/ith this
resolution and furie_, the Spaniards, to make them cease,
shewed forth Montezuma, with another of the chiefe Lords
of Mexico, vpon the top of a platform of the house, covered
with the targets of two souldiers that were with them. The
Mexicanes, seeing their Lord Montezuma, staied with great
silence. Then Montecuma caused the Lord to advise them
to pacific themselves, and not to warre against the Span-
iards, seeing that (hee being a prisoner) it could little pro-
fite him. The which being vnderstood by a yong man
called Quicuxtemoc, whom they now resolved to make their
king, spake with a loud voice to Montecuma, willing him to
retyre like a villain e, that seeing he had bin such a coward
as to suffer himselfe to be taken, they were no more bound
to obey him, but rather should punish him as he deserued,
calling him woman for the more reproach, and then hee
beganne to draw his bowe and to shoote at him, and the
people beganne to cast stones at him, and to continue their
combate. Many say that Monteguma was then hurt with a
stone, whereof he died. The Indians of Mexico affirme the
contrarie, and that he died as I will shew hereafter. Alva-
rado and the rest of the Spaniards, seeing themselves thus
pressed, gave intelligence to Captaine Cortes of the great
danger they were in : who having with an admirable dexte-
ritie and valour given order to Narvaez affaires, and
assembled the greatest part of his men, he returned with
all speede to succour them of Mexico, where observing the
time the Indians rest (for it was their custom in war to rest
every fourth day:) He one day advanced with great policy
and courage, so as both he and his men entred the pallace,
whereas the Spaniards had fortified themselves : they then
shewed great signes of ioy in discharging their artillery.
But as the Mexicans farie increased (being out of hope to
defend themselves) Cortes resolved to passe away secretly
in the night without bruite. Having therefore made
Lib. VII.
Lib. VII.
522 RETREAT OF THE SPANIARDS.
bridges to passe two great and dangerous passages^ about
midnight they issued forth as secretly as they could, the
greatest part of his people having passed the first bridge,
they were discovered by an Indian woman before they
could passe the second, who cried out their enemies fled,
at the which voice all the people ran together with a hor-
rible furie : so as in passing the second bridge, they were
so charged and pursued, as there remained above three
hundred men slaine and hurt in one place ; where at this
day there is a smal hermitage, which they vnproperly cal
of Martyrs. Many Spaniards (to preserve the gold and
iewells which they had gotten), perished, and others staying
to carry it away, were taken by the Mexicans, and cruelly
sacrificed to their idols. The Mexicans found king Monte-
zuma dead, and wounded as they say with poiniards, and
they hold opinion that that night the Spaniards slew him
with other Noblemen. The Marquis in his relation sent
to the Emperour, writes the contrary, and that the Mexicans
killed him that night with a son of MonteQuma, which he led
with him amongst other noblemen, saying, that all the
treasure of gold, stones, and silver fell into the lake and
was never more scene. But howsoever, Montezuma died
miserably, and paied his deserts to the iust iudgement of
our Lord of heaven for his pride and tyranny : his body
falling into the Indians power, they would make him no
obsequies of a king, no, not of an ordinarie person, but
cast it away in great disdaine and rage. A servant of his
having pittie of this king^s miserie (who before had bene
feared and worshipped as a God) made a fier thereof, and
put the ashes in a contemptible place. Eeturning to the
Spaniards that escaped, they were greatly tyred and tur-
moiled, the Indians following them two or three daies very
resolutely, giving them no time of rest, being so distressed
for victualls, as a few graines of Mays were divided amongst
them for their meate. The relations both of the Spaniards
SUBMISSION OF THE MEXICANS. 523
and Indians agree, that Grod delivered them here miracu-
lously, the Virgin Mary defending them on a little hill,
whereat this day, three leagues from Mexico, there is a
Church built in remembrance thereof, called our Lady of
succour. They retyred to their antient friends of Tlascala,
whence, by their aide and the valour and poUicie of Cortes,
they returned afterwards to make war against Mexico, by
water and land, with an invention of brigantines, which
they put into the lake, where, after many combates, and
above threescore dangerous battailes, they conquered
Mexico, on S. Hippolitus day, the 13 of August 1521.
The last king of the Mexicans (having obstinately main-
tained the wars) was in the end taken in a great canoe,
whereinto he fled, who, being brought, with some other of
the chiefest noblemen, before Fernando Cortes, this pettie
king, with a strange resolution and courage, drawing his
dagger, came neere to Cortes, and said vnto him, ^^ Yntill
this day I have done my best indevour for the defence of
my people : now am I no farther bound, but to give thee
this dagger to kill me therewith/^ Cortes answered, that
he would not kill him, neither was it his intention to hurt
them : but their obstinate folly was guiltie of all the misery
and afflictions they had suffered, neither were they ignorant
how often he had required peace and amity at their hands.
He then commanded them to be intreated curteously.
Many strange and admirable things chanced in this con-
quest of Mexico : for I neither hold it for an vntruth, nor
an addition, which many write, that God favoured the
Spaniards by many miracles : for else it had bin impossible
to surmount so many difficulties without the favour of
heaven, and to subiect this nation with so few men. For
although we were sinners, and vnworthy so great a favour,
yet the cause of our God, the glorie of our faith, the good
of so many thousand soules, as were in these countries,
whome the Lord had predestinate, wrought this change
Lib. VII.
Lib. VII.
524 SANTA CRUZ DE LA SIERRA.
wliich wee now see by supernatural! meanes, and proper to
himselfe whicli calls the blinde and prisoners to the know-
ledge of himselfe, giving them light and libertie by his holy
Gospel. And to the end you may the better vnderstand this,
and give credite therevnto, I will aledge some examples
which_, in my opinion,, are fit for this history.
Chap, xxvii. — Of some miracles which God hath showed at
the Indies, in favour of the faith ^ heijond the desert
of those that lurought them.
Santa Cruz de la Sierra is a very great province, in the
Kingdom e of Peru, neighbour to diverse infidell nations,
which have not yet any knowledge of the Gospel, if since
my departure the fathers of our company which remaine
there have not instructed them. Yet this province of
Santa Cruz is peopled by Christians, and there are many
Spaniards, and great numbers of Indians baptized. The
maner how Christianitie entred was thus. A souldier of a
lewd life, resident in the province of Charcas, fearing
punishment, being pursued for his offences, went farre vp
into the countrie, and was received curteously by this bar-
barous people. The Spaniard seeing them in a great
extremity for water, and that to procure raine they vsed
many superstitious ceremonies, according to their vsuall
maner, he said vnto them, that if they would do as he said,
they should presently have raine, the which they willingly
offered to performe. Then the souldier made a great
crosse, the which he planted on a high and eminent place,
commanding them to worship it and to demand water, the
which they did. A wonderful thing to see, there presently
fel such abundance of raine, as the Indians tooke so great
devotion to the holy crosse, as they fled vnto it in all their
necessities, and obtained all they demanded : so as they
CURING BY MIRACLES. 525
brake downe tlieir idolls, and beganne to carry the crosse ^^^' '^"•
for tlieir badge^ demanding preachers to instruct and to
baptise them. For this reason, the province to this day
hath beene called Santa Cruz de la Sierra. But to the end
we may see by whom God wrought these miracles,, it shall
not be vnfit to show how that this souldier, after he had
some yeares done these miracles^ like an Apostle, and yet
nothing reformed in his lewd course of life, left the pro-
vince of Charcas, and continuing in his wicked courses^
was publikely hanged at Potosi. Polo (who knew him wel)
writes all this, as a notable thing happened in his time.
Cabe^a de Yaca, who since was governour of Paraguay,
writes what happened vnto him in his strange perigrination
in Florida, with two or three other companions, the onely
remainder of an army, where they continued ten yeares
with these Barbarians, traveling and searching even vnto
the South sea, being an author worthy of credite : he
saieth, that these Barbarians did force them to cure cer-
taine diseases, threatning them with death if they did it
not; they being ignorant in any part of phisicke, and
having nothing to apply, forced by necessitie, made evan-
gelicall medicines, saying the praiers of the Church, and
making the signe of the crosse, by meanes whereof they
cured these diseases, which made them so famous, as they
were forced to exercise this office in all townes as they
passed, the which were innumerable, wherein our Lord
did aide them miraculously, and they themselves were
thereat amazed, being but of an ordinarie life ; yea, one of
them was a Negro. Lancero was a souldier of Peru, of
whom they knew no other merit but to be a souldier : he
spake certaine good wordes vpon wounds, and making
the signe of the crosse, did presently cure them : so as they
did say (as in a proverbe), the psalme of Lancero. Being
examined by such as held authority in the Church, his
office and works were approved. Some men worthy of
credite report (and I have heard it spoken), that in the
Lib. VII.
526 MIRACLES WROUGHT FOR THE CHRISTIANS.
cittie of Cusco, whenas the Spaniards were besieged and so
straightly pressed, that without helpe from heaven it was
impossible to escape, the Indians casting fire on the tops of
the houses, whither the Spaniards were retyred (in which
place the great Church is now built)/ and although the
covering were of a kind of straw, which they call Chicho,^
and that the fire they cast was of very resinous faggots ;
yet nothing was set on fire, nor burnt, for that there
was a woman did quench it presently, the which the
Indians did visibly see, as they confessed afterwards being
much amazed. It is most certaine, by the relations of
many, and by the histories which are written, that in divers
battailes which the Spaniards had, as well in New Spaine
as in Peru, the Indians their enemies did see a horseman in
the aire, mounted on a whit horse, with a sword in his
hand, fighting for the Spaniards, whence comes the great
reverence they beare at the Indies to the glorious Apostle
Saint lames. Other whiles they did see in some battailes
the image of our Ladie, from whom the Christians have
received in those partes incomparable favours and bene-
fites : if I should particularly relate all the workes of
heaven as they happened, it would make a very long dis-
course. It sufficeth to have said this, by reason of the
favour which the Queene of glorie did to our men when
they were pressed and pursued by the Mexicans, the which
I have set downe, to the end we may know how our Lord
hath had a care to favour the faith and Christian religion,
defending those that maintained it, although happily by
their workes they deserved not so great favours and bene-
fites from heaven. And therefore we ought not to con-
demne all these things of the first Conquerours of the
Indies, as some religious and learned men have done,
doubtlesse with a good zeale, but too much afi'ected. For
although, for the most part, they were covetous men, cruell,
1 The great hall of the palace of Ynca Huiiacocha, now the cathedral
of Cuzco. ^ Ychu. {Stipa Yclui).
DESIGNS OF PROVIDENCE. 527
and very ic^norant in the course that was to be observed
with the Infidels_, who had never offended the Christians,
yet can we not deny but on their part there was much
malice against God and our men_, which forced them to vse
rigor and chastisement. And, moreover, the Lord of all
(although the faithfull were sinners), would favour their
cause and partie, even for the good of the Infidells, who
should bee converted vnto the holy Gospel by this meanes,
for the waies of God are high, and his paths wonderful.
Lib. VII.
Chap, xxviii. — Of the maner how the Divine Providence
disposed of the Indies, to give an entrie to Christian
Religion,
I will make an end of this historic of the Indies, showing
the admirable meanes whereby God made a passage for the
Gospel in those partes, the which we ought well to consider
of, and acknowledge the providence and bountie of the
Creator. Every one may vnderstand by the relation and
discourse I have written in these bookes, as well at Peru
as in New Spaine, whenas the Christians first set footing,
that these Kingdomes and Monarchies were come to the
height and period of their power. The Yncas of Peru,
possessing from the Realme of Chile beyond Quito, which
are a thousand leagues, being most aboundant in gold,
siluer, and all kinds of riches : as also in Mexico, Monte-
zuma commaunded from the North Ocean sea vnto the
South, being feared and worshipped, not as a man, but
rather as a god. Then was it, that the most high Lord
had determined that that stone of Daniel, which dis-
solved the Realmes and Kingdoms of the world, should
also dissolve those of this new world. And as the lawe of
Christ came whenas the Romane Monarchic was at her
greatues : so did it happen at the West Indies, wherein we
see the iust providence of our Lord. For being then in
528
DESIGNS OF PROVIDENCE.
Lib. VII.
August.,
lib. ii,
cle Cone
evangel.,
xxxvi.
tlie world^ I meane in Europe, but one head and temporall
Lord, as the holy Doctors do note, whereby the Gospel
might more easily be imparted to so many people and
nations. Even so hath it happened at the Indies, where
having given the knowledge of Christ to the Monarchs of
so many Kingdomes, it was a meanes that afterwards the
knowledge of the gospell was imparted to all the people :
yea, there is herein a speciall thinge to be observed, that as
the Lordes of Cuzco and Mexico conquered new landes, so
they brought in their owne language, for although there
were (as at this day) great diuersitie of tongues, yet the
courtlie speech of Cuzco did, and doth at this day, runne
above a thousand leagues, and that of Mexico did not
extend farre lesse, which hath not beene of small import-
ance, but hath much profited in making* the preaching
easie at such a time, when as the preachers had not the
gift of many tongues, as in old tymes. He that vv^oulde
knowe what a helpe it hath beene for the conversion of this
people in these two greate Empyres, and the greate diffi-
cultie they haue founde to reduce those Indians to Christ,
which acknowledge no Soueraigne Lord, let him goe to
Florida, Brasil, the Andes, ^ and many other places, where
they have not prevailed so much by their preaching in fiftie
yeares, as they have done in Peru and Newe Spaine in lesse
than five. If they will impute the cause to the riches of
the countrie, I will not altogether denie it. Yet were it
impossible to have so great wealth, and to bee able to pre-
serve it, if there had not beene a Monarchic. This is also
a worke of God in this age, that we. Preachers of the
gospell being so colde and without zeale. Merchants and
Soldiers, with the heatof covetousness and desire of command,
search and discouer newe people whither wee passe with our
commodities. For as Saint Austin saith, the Prophesie of
Esaias is fulfilled, in that the Church of Christ is extended,
* Antis. Not the mountains, but the Peruvian province of Anti-
suyu, the wild forests to the eastward of the Andes.
BRAVERY OF THE INDIANS. 529
not ouely to the right hand, but also to the left : which is
(as he declareth) by humaine and earthly meanes, which
they seeke more commonly than lesus Christ. It was also
a great providence of our Lord, that whenas the first
Spaniardes arrived there, they founde ayde from the Indians
themselves, by reason of their partialities and greate
diuisions.
This is well knowne in Peru, that the division betwixt
the two brothers Atahualpa and Huascar, the great King
Huayna Ccapac their father being newly dead, gave entry to
the Marquis Don Francisco Pizarro, and to the Spaniards,
for that either of them desired his alliance, being busied in
warre one against the other. The like experience hath
beene in New Spaine, that the aide of those of the pro-
vince of Tlascala, by reason of their continuall hatred
against the Mexicaines, gave the victory and siegniory of
Mexico to the Marquis Fernando Cortes and his men, and
without them it had beene impossible to have wonne it,
yea, to have maintained themselves within the country.
They are much deceived that so little esteeme the In-
dians, and iudge that (by the advantage the Spaniards
have over them in their persons, horses, and amies, both
offensive and deiffensive), they might easily conquer any
land or nation of the Indies.
Chile standes yet, or, to say better, Arauco and Tucapel,
which are two cities, where our Spaniards could not yet
winne one foote of ground, although they have made warre
there above five-and-twenty yeares, without sparing of any
cost. For this barbarous nation, having once lost the
apprehention of horse and shotte, and knowing that the
Spaniards fall as well as other men, with the blow of a stone
or of a dart, they hazard themselves desperately, entring
the pikes vppon any enterprise. How many yeares have
they levied men in New Spaine, to send against the Chi-
chimecos, which are a small number of naked Indians,
M M
Lib. VII.
530 AJDS TO CONVERSION.
Lib. VII. armed onely with bowes and arrowes : yet, to this day, they
could not bee vanquished, but contrariwise_, from day to day
they grow more desperate and resolute. But what shall
wee say of the Chunchos^ of the Chirihuanos, of the Pilco-
9oneSj and all the other people of the Andes ? Hath not
all the flower of Peru beene there^ bringing with them so
great provision of armes and men, as we have seene ?
What did they ? With what victories returned they ?
Surely they returned very happy in saving of their lives,
having lost their baggage and almost all their horses. Let
no man thinke (speaking of the Indians), that they are
men of nothing ; but if they thinke so, let them go and
make triall. Wee must then attribute the glory to whom
it appertaines, that is, principally to God, and to his ad-
mirable providence : for if Montecuma in Mexico, and the
Ynca in Peru, had bin resolute to resist the Spaniards,
and to stoppe their entrie, Cortes and Pizarro had prevailed
little in their landing, although they were excellent Cap-
taines. It hath also beene a great helpe to induce the
Indians to receive the law of Christ, the subiection they
were in to their Kings and Lords, and also the servitude
and slaverie they were helde in by the divell's tyrannies
and insupportable yoke. This was an excellent disposition
of the Divine AVisedome, the which drawes profite from ill
to a good end, and receives his good from another^s ill,
which it hath not sowen. It is most certaine that no people
of the West Indies have been more apt to receive the
Gospel then those which were most subiect to their Lords,
and which have beene charged with the heaviest burthens,
as well of tributes and services, as of customes and bloodie
practises. All that which the Mexicane Kings, and those
of Peru did possesse, is at this day most planted with
Christian religion, and where there is least difficultie in the
government and ecclesiasticall discipline. The Indians
were so wearied with the heavy and insupportable yoke of
DEFEAT OF SATAN. 531
Sathan^s lawes^ his sacrifices and ceremonies,, whereof wee ^"- "^"•
have formerly spoken, that they consulted among them-
selves to seeke out a new law, and another God to serve.
And therefore the law of Christ seemed vnto them, and
doth at this day seeme iust, sweete, clean, good, and full
of happinesse.
And that which is difficult in our law, to beleeve so
high and soveraigne Misteries, hath beene easy among
them, for that the Divell had made them comprehend
things of greater difficultie, and the self-same things which
he had stolen from our Evangelicall law, as their manor of
communion and confession, their adoration of three in one,
and such other like, the which, against the will of the
enemy, have holpen for the easie receiving of the truth by
those who before had imbraced lies. God is wise and ad-
mirable in all his works, vanquishing the adversarie even
with his owne weapon, hee takes him in his owne snare,
and kills him with his owne sword. Finally, our God (who
had created this people, and who seemed to have thus long
forgot them), when the houre was come, hee would have
the same divells, enemies to mankinde> whom they falsely
held for gods, should give a testimony against their will,
of the true law, the power of Christ, and the triumph of
the crosse, as it plainely appeares by the presages, pro-
phesies, signes, and prodiges, heere before mentioned, with
many others happened in divers partes, and that the same
Ministers of Sathan, Sorcerers, Magitians, and other In-
dians have confessed it. And we cannot deny it (being
most evident and knowne to all the world), that the Divell
dareth not hisse, and that the practises, oracles, answers,
and visible apparitions, which were so ordinary throughout
all this infidelitie, have ceased, whereas the Cross of Christ
hath beene planted, where there are Churches, and where
the name of Christ hath beene confessed. And if there be
at this day any cursed minister of his, that doth participate
M M 2
532 FRUITS OF CONVERSION.
Lib. VII. thereof, it is in caves, and on the toppes of mountaines^
and in secret places, farre from the name and communion
of Christians. The Soveraigne Lord be blessed for his
great mercies, and for the glory of his holy name. And in
truth, if they did governe this people, temporally and
spiritually, in such sort as the law of lesus Christ hath set
it downe, with a mild yoake and light burthen, and that
they would impose no more vppon them then they can
well beare, as the letters patents of the good Emperour
of happy memorie doe command, and that they would
employ halfe the care they have to make profite of these
poore men's sweats and labours, for the health of their
soules, it were the most peaceable and happy Christian
part of all the world. But our sinnes are often an occasion
that God doth not impart his graces so abundantly as he
would. Yet I will say one thing, which I holde for truth,
that although the first entry of the Gospel hath not beene
accompanied (in many places), with such sinceritie and
Christian meanes as they should have vsed; yet God, of
his bounty, hath drawn good from this evill, and hath made
the subiection of the Indians a perfect remedie for their
salvation. Let vs consider a little what hath beene newly
converted in our time to the Christian Religion as well
in the East as in the West, and how little suretie and
perseverance in the faith and Christian religion there hath
beene, in places where the new converted have had full
libertie to dispose of themselves, according to their free
will. Christianitie, without doubt, augments and in-
crease th, and brings forth daily more fruite among the
Indian slaves : and contrariwise ruin is threatened in other
partes where have beene more happy beginnings. And
although the beginnings at the West Indies have beene
laboursome, yet our Lord hath speedily sent good worke-
men and his faithfull Ministers, holy men and Apostolical,
as Friar Martin de Valencia, of the order of S. Francis,
CONCLUSION. 533
Friar Pomingo de BetanzoSj of the order of S. Dominicke,
Friar Juan de Roa, of the order of S. Austin^ with other
servants of our Lord^ which have lived holily, and have
wrought more then humaine things. Likewise^ Prelates
and holy Priests_, worthy of memory, of whom we heare
famous miracles_, and the very acts of the Apostles : yea,
in our time, we have knowne and conferred with some
of this qualitie.
But for that my intention hath beene onely to touch that
which concernes the proper history of the Indians them-
selves, and to come unto the time that the Father of our
Lord lesus Christ saw fit to show the light of his word
vnto them ; I will passe no farther, leaving the discourse
of the Gospel at the West Indies for another time, and to
a better vnderstanding : Beseeching the Soveraign Lord
of all, and intreating his servants humbly to pray vnto his
Divine Maiestie that it would please him of his bountie
often to visit and to augment by the gifts of heaven this
new Christendome, which these last ages have planted in
the farthest bounds of the earth. Griory, Honour, and
Empire be to the King of the ages for ever and ever.
Amen.
Lib. vir.
THE END.
INDEX.
CONTENTS.
I. — General Index . - . ,
II, — Descriptive List of Names of Places in Peru
III. — QuiCHUA "Words ....
IV. — Descriptive List of Yncas mentioned by Acosta -
V. — Ynca Succession. The "Ayllus" or Lineages
VI. — Mexican Names ....
VII. — Descriptive List of Spaniards and other Europeans
PA&B
536
539
542
544
546
547
548
I.
GENERAL INDEX.
Agatarchides, book on the Erythrean
Sea reported by Phocian in his
Bibliotheca, on refining gold, 192
Alligators, 148
Alligator pear, 250
Ambrose, St., 8, 9
America. {See Indies.)
Ancestors, worship of, 312
Antarctic pole {see Pole), unknown
lands, 170
Antilles soil, products, 169
Antipodes, views of Lactantius and
St. Augustine on, 4, 19, 22, 23
Architecture of the Yncas, 415
Arctic zone, extent of land unknown, 171
Aristotle, correct opinion of the shape
of the heavens, 4, 9, 21 ; believed
the torrid zone to be uninhabitable,
25, 27, 29, 32, 75, 81, 96 ; ignorant
of the compass, 48 ; on birds, 275
Armadillos, 283
Astrolabe, height of the sun by the, 15
Atlantis, isle of, 64, 65, 90, 102
Augustine, St., views as to the shape
of the heavens, 3 ; doubt as to the
South Pole, 4, 6, 9, 19 ; denied the
Antipodes, 22, 23, 32, 45, 47, 187 ;
on beasts found on islands, 58 ; on
extension of Christianity, 528
Australia, conjectured existence, 170
Avicenna, 91
Axi, 239, 240. {See Pepper.)
Aymara dictionary, by Bertonio, v
Bacalaos, 60
Balsam, 257, 258
Bamboos, 263
Baptism, rite of Mexicans resembling,
369
Barter, use of, 189
Basil, St., 8
Batatas, 235
Bears, 274
Bees and honey, 274
Beer. {See Chicha, Maize.)
Bezoar stones, 288, 292
Birds in the Indies, 275, 279
Bogos, 151
Bonzes, 339
Brazil wood, 260
Bridges, 416, 417
Cacao, 244
Calendar, Mexican, 392
Calibashes, 238
Camels in Peru, 272
Camotes, 235
Canary Isles known to Pliny, 33 ;
name, 34
Canopus star, 14
Capsicum, 239
Carthage, voyages of ships of, 55. {See
Hauno.)
Cassava bread, 232, 233
Cassia fistula, 260
Cattle in the Indies, 271
Cayman. {See Alligator.)
536
INDEX.
China, learning, 401 ; writing, 408
Chirimoya, 251
Chocolate, 244, 245
Chicha, 230, 231
Chrysostom, St., notion of the shape of
the earth and heavens, 1, 2
Climate, in tropics, 76, 77 ; beyond
tropics, 77 ; of Chile, 78 ; dry re-
gions in tropics, 88 ; lofty regions
the coldest, 96 ; cause of rainless
belt on coast of Peru, 166, 167
Cloth made from llama wool, 289
Coca, 164, 189, 244, 245, 246
Cocoa nuts, 253
Cochineal, 248
Comet in 1577, motion, 122
Compass, ancients ignorant of, 48, 49 ;
virtues of the load- stone, 50, 51 ;
variation, 52
Condors, 279
Confession, used in Peru, 361, 362
Conversion, divine arrangements for,
528
Copal, 260
Corn. {See Maize.)
Cotton, 249
Council of Lima, vii
Dances, Peruvian and Mexican, 444 to
446
Dantas or tapirs, 283
Datura, sent to Spain by the Viceroy
Toledo, 265
Dead, the worship of, 311, 313 ; cus-
toms in Peru, 314 ; in Mexico, 315
Deluge, tradition of, 70
Devil, the, his pride the cause of
idolatry, 298 ; his malice, 300, 307 ;
his cunning, 324 ; monks invented
by, 334 ; penance invented by, 337 ;
sacrifices to, 340 ; cruelty of un-
endurable, 352 ; imitates the sacra-
ments of the church, 354, 356 ; con-
fession to, 360 ; unction, 364 ; illu-
sions of, 371 ; invents a Trinity,
373, 377 ; final defeat of, 381
Dioscorides, 48
Dogs in the Indies, 272
Drugs, 260
Dyes, 260
Earth, shape, opinion of the ancients,
1 ; part discovered, 18 ; circum-
navigated, 4 ; round, 5 ; rests upon
nothing, 10 ; distribution of land
and sea, 17 ; worship of, 304
Earthquakes, 178, 179, 180
l<]clipses, proof of roundness of the
earth from, 5
]5weralds, 37, 224, 225
Equinoctial, nature of, 73 ; crossed by
the author, iii, 90
Eudoxus, voyage of, 33
Eusebius on prognostications, 506, 508
Fathers of the Church (see Augustine,
Chrysostom, Jerome, Gregory Nazi-
anzen), they may err, 3
Feathers, art of working in, 280
Fig tree at Mala, 268
Fishery. {See Pearl.)
Fishing (see Whale), in balsas, 150 ; by
Chirihuanas, 151 ; in Lake Titicaca,
151
Floating gardens at Mexico, 469
Flocks. {See Llamas.)
Florida, strait of, 140
Floripondio, flower, 255. (See Datura.)
Flowers in the Indies, 255
Frost-bite, a man lost his toes by, 133
Fruits of the Indies, 236, 237
Fruit trees, 265, 268, 249, 251, 252
Gallinazos or turkey buzzards, 279
Gardens, floating, at Mexico, 469
Genoa, great emerald at, 225
Ginger grown in the Indies, 239
Giants, bones of, found at Mauta and
Puerto Viejo, 56 ; in Mexico, 454
Gold in the Indies, 190 to 193
Granadilla, fruit of the passion flower,
256
Gregory Nazianzen, 8, 23
Guano on the coast of Peru, 281
Guayavos, fruit, 250
Guinea,New, opinions concerning, 18, 47
Hanno, voyage of, 32
Head-dresses, 422
Heavens, shape of, notion of St, Chri-
sostom, 1, 2 ; of Theodore t, 2 ; of
Lactantius, 2 ; of St. Jerome, 2 ;
of Procopius, 2, 8 ; of St. Augustine,
2 ; true shape, 5, 7, 12 ; proof from
eclipses, 5
Hispaniola said to be Ophir, 37
History, profit to be derived from, 388,
448
Horses in the Indies, 271
Human sacrifices, 320, 346 to 350
Humming-birds, 279
Idols (see Devil), in Mexico, 318, 319,
369 ; in Peru, 371 ; the testimony
of, 508
Idolatry, forms of, 303 ; sin of, 306
Imagination, uses of, 20
Indian corn. {Sec Maize.)
Indies (America or New World), by
what means men might have first
INDEX.
537
reached, 45, 46, 47 ; discovered by
chance, 54, 56 ; possibly peopled by
land, 57, 455 ; how beasts reached
the New World, 58, 59, 62, 63 ;
idea of Jewish descent of Indians
refuted, 67, 68 ; report of the In-
dians as to their origin, 70, 71 ;
origin of native civilisation, 72 ;
shape of the Indies, 182 ; how there
can be animals peculiar to, 277.
(See Mexico, Peru.)
Irrigation, 159
Isaiah, prophecy, 44, 528
Isthmus of Panama, question of a
canal, 135
Japan, confession used in, 363, 369
Jerome, St., view as to the shape of
the heavens, 2, 8, 15, 32 ; on Tar-
shish, 41
Jesuits in Peru, iv ; their work, v.
{See Acosta.)
Josephus on the position of Ophir, 39
Lactantius, view as to the shape of
the Heavens, 2 ; held that there were
no antipodes, 19, 32 ; on the testi-
mony of idols, 508
Lakes in the Andes, 152 ; in Mexico, 153
Lima, synod of; rule as to Indian
marriages, 426 ; council of, vii
Liquidambar, 259
Llamas, 289 ; as beasts of burden,
290 ; diseases, 291
Llanos, 237
Macrobius, 24
Magdalena, river, 158
Maize, 228 ; harvest, 229 ; uses, 229,
230 ; beer made from, 230, 231
Malacca, 33
Manatis, 146
Marriages, in Mexico, 370 ; in Peru,
369, 424, 425, 426
Mela, Pomponius, 24
Mendocino, cape ; nothing known be-
yond, 18, 60, 171
Menomotapa, climate of, 94
Mercury. {See Quicksilver.)
Messengers, Peruvian, 409, 423
Metals, abundance in the New World,
185; gold and silver, 186-9; min-
eral wealth of Peru, 187 ; gold, 190
to 194 ; silver, 194 ; mines of Po-
tosi, 197 ; quicksilver, 211
Mexico. {See under Mexican Section.)
Milky way, 7, 14, 15
Miracles, of rain at Santa Cruz de la
Sierra, 524 ; worked by Spaniards,
525 ; in defence of Spaniards, 526 ;
at siege of Cuzco, 526, {See Omens.)
Monks, 334, 335 ; in Mexico, 336
Monkeys, 284, 285
Months, Peruvian, 374, 375
Moon, eclipses of, prove the earth is
round, 5 ; worship of, 304
Mulberries, 269
Mummeries of the Yncas, 432
Nature, study of, 184
Navigation, Portuguese expert in the
art of, 15
Nepos, Cornelius. {See Pliny.)
New World. {See Indies.)
Nicaragua, 127
Night, cause of darkness, 5
Nile, sources unknown to the ancients,
27 ; cause of inundation, 78
Nobility, Mexican, 488
North-west passage, 18, 141
Obadiah, his prophecy, 43
Olives, 269
Omens, before the Spaniards arrived
in Mexico, 506, 510
Ophir, whether Peru is ? 37, 38 ; true
position, 39 ; view of Josephus, 39
Oranges, plant themselves, 265
Ore Jones, nobles of Peru, 413
Orosius, Paulus ; on omens, 507
Panama, climate, 77 ; sea, 99 ; tide,
144
Paraguay, inundations of, 78, 158
Pearl, fisheries, 226, 227
Peccaries, 282
Penance, of Mexican priests, 338 ; of
Peruvians, 339
Peru, seasons in, 80 ; winds. 111, 112
rivers, 158 ; coast valleys, 100, 161
Sierra, 161 ; physical features, 164
rainfall, 165; use of rainless coast
166, 167 ; mineral wealth {see Me
tals), 187 ; animals, 273, 282; birds
275 ; vicunas, 287 ; llamas, 290
maize, 226 ; roots, 232 ; pepper
239 ; fruit, 251, 252 ; religion, 301
302 ; deities, 304 ; idols, 308, 371
superstitions, 309 ; worship of the
dead and ancestors, 311, 312, 313
temples, 325, 326 ; convents of vir
gins, 331, 332; confession, 361, 362
sacrifices, 340 to 344 ; sorcerers,
362, 367 ; marriage, 369 ; dances
and music, 445
Pepinos, 237
Pepper, 239, 240
Phocion, {See Agatarchides.)
Picture writing, 403
Pilot fish, or Romeros, 147
Pine apples, 236
538
INDEX.
Pitch, springs of, 165
Planets, motions of, 7
Plantains, 241
Plants, introduced from Spain, 265
Plate, river, inundations of, 78, 158
Plato, his opinion touching the New
World, 36 ; on Atlantis, 64, 65, 90
Pliny, held the opinion of Aristotle as
to the tropics, 29, 32 ; ignorant of
the compass, 49, 55 ; mentions cro-
codiles, 148 ; on emeralds, 225 ;
silver, 201 ; pearls, 227 ; birds, 275 ;
millet, 231 ; plane, 241 ; on a story,
in Cornelius Nepos, of Indians com-
ing to the King of Sue via, 55 ;
death of, at Mount Vesuvius, 177 ;
on mines in Spain, 201 ; on quick-
silver, 213
Poles, arctic, 171 ; antarctic, 16, 28,
170
Portuguese, expert in navigation, 15
Potatoes, 233
Prickly pear, 463
Priests, in Mexico, 330 ; training of,
in Mexico, 443
Ptolemy, believed the tropics to be
habitable, 91
Puna of Peru ; intense cold, 132, 133
Purgatives, 261
Quicksilver, properties of, 211 ; dis-
covery of in Peru, 214, 215 ; method
of preserving workmen from poison
of, 212
Rainbow, worship of, 304
Rainfall, in the tropics, 79 ; effects of
sun on, 84 ; temi)ers heat, 91 ; rain
bearing winds, 127 ; in Peru, 165 ;
cause of no rain on the Peruvian
coast, 166
Rice, 234
Rivers, Amazons, 156 ; Pongo, or
rapid, 157 ; of Peru, 158
Romero. {See Pilot fish. )
Roots, edible, {See Potatoe, 233; Oca,
235 j Camote, 235 ; Yuca, 233, 235.)
Sacraments of the Church, counter-
feited by the Devil, 346, 354
Sacrifices — human, in Mexico, 323 ;
346 to 350; Peruvian, 340, 341,
342, 343, 344
Salomon Isles ; opinions as to position,
18 ; discovery, 46, 47, 115
Salt, fountain of, 155
Saltpetre, cools water, 95
Sarsaparilla, 156
Schinus Molle, 264
Schools, in the Mexican temples, 442
Sea sickness, 129
Seneca, thought to have alluded to
the West Indies, 34, 35
Sharks, voracity of, 147
Sheep, in the Indies, 270
Sickness, at sea, 129
at great heights, 130, 131
Silver, in the Indies, 194 ; Pliny on,
201 ; refining, 217 ; engines for
grinding ores, 222 ; trial of, 223
Sloths, 284
Snow blindness, 288
Sorcerers, 362, 367, 498
South sea, 56, 134
Southern cross. {See Stars.)
Springs, hot and cold, 154, 156; of
pitch, 155 ; of salt, 155; at Guaya-
quil, flowing by sarsaparilla, 156 ;
rising on Vilcanota, 156
Stars, their motions, 6 ; Southern
Cross, 14 ; and Canopus, 64 ; milky
way, 7, 14, 15; in southern hemi-
sphere, 14 ; names in Peru, 305
Storax, 260
Strabo, on balsam, 258
Sue via. King of. {See Pliny.)
Sugarcane, 269
Sumatra, 49, 55, 91
Sun, effect on rainfall, 78, 85 ; on va-
pours, ^Q ; worship of, 303, 304,
305 ; argument against its being
God, 310
Synod of Lima ; rule as to marriages,
426
Tapirs, 283
Tarshish, 38, 40, 41, 42
Tarugas, 288
Temples, in the Indies, 325
Theodoret ; opinion as to the shape of
the Heavens, 2 ; on the position of
Tarshish, 41
Theophilus, 2
Theophrastus, 48 ; emeralds men-
tioned by, 225
Thunder and lightning, worshij) of,
304
Tides, 143, 144, 145
Timber trees, 262
Time, change of, in sailing round the
world, 173
Tobacco, 261
Totora, 235, 417
Trinity of the Peruvians, 373
Tropics, held to be uninhabitable, 25
climate of, 76, 77 ; rainfall, 79
abound in water and pastures, 81
dry regions of, 88, 89 ; moderate
heat in, 90, 91, 94, 95 ; length of
INDEX.
539
days and nights, 92 ; cold winds,
98 ; pleasant life in, 101
Tunal (prickly pear), 463
Unction used in Mexico, 364
Vermillion, 214, 216
Victoria, ship which has encompassed
the earth, 4
Vineyards, 267, 268 ; in Peru, 168
Virgins, convent of, in Peru, 232 ; in
Mexico, 333
Warfare, Mexican, 440
Whale fishing, 149
Winds, cause of temperate climate in
the tropics, 98 ; land and sea
breezes, 100, 126 ; their properties
and causes, 105 ; in Peru, 111 ;
trade winds, 113, 115; names of
winds, 118, 119; cause of trade
winds, 121 ; cause of westerly winds
outside the tropics, 124 ; rain-bear-
ing winds, 127
Yguanas, 283
Zarephath, supposed to be Spain, 43
Zones. {See tropics), 25 ; southern,
28 ; burning, 72 {see equinoctial) ;
held to be uninhabitable, 74 ; burn-
ing zone very moist, 75 {See Arctic,
Antarctic).
II.
NAMES OF PLACES IN PERU MENTIONED BY ACOSTA.
(g denotes places also mentioned by Garcilasso de la Vega.)
Acoria, 216. Village, a native of which,
named Nauincopa, discovered a
quicksilver mine in Huancavelica.
Acoria is now a district in the de-
partment of Huancavelica, with a
small village of 646 inhabitants.
Amazons, great river of, 82.
Andahuaylas, 165, 430. A town, capi-
tal of the province of the same
name, on the road from Ayacucho
to Cuzco ; in 13° 36' 54" S. lat. It
is situated in a long fertile valley,
enjoying a temperate climate, and
surrounded by mountains, g.
Angoango, 180 (Ancu-ancu). A hamlet
in the parish of Achacache, on the
east side of lake Titicaca.
Anti-suyu, 414. The eastern division
of the Empire of the Yncas. g.
Apurimac, 151. A great river which,
with its tributaries, drains the moun-
tainous country round Cuzco, and
eventually falls into the Ucayali. g.
Araucanos, 170, 410, 427, 530. The
independent Indians in the south
of Chile. G.
Arena, 168. A mountain near Lima
Arequipa, 151, 161, 166, 167, 173.
Capital of the department of the
same name, in 16° 24' 28" S. lat.,
in a fertile valley at the foot of the
volcano of Misti. Arequipa was
founded by order of Pizarro, in
1540. G.
Arica, 56, 218. A seaport of Peru.
It has been several times destroyed
by earthquakes, g.
Atico, 167. On the coast, between
Yea and Arequipa. Occasional rain
there, g.
Callao, 95. The port of Lima, in
12° 4' 15" S. lat,
Canaris, 428, 532. A powerful tribe
in the kingdom of Quito, g.
Canete, 150. A town on the coast,
south of Lima, in a plain covered
with sugar cane. It was founded by
the Viceroy Marquis of Caiiete. g.
Capachica, 290. The weavers of
ccompi lived in this province, on
the shores of lake Titicaca. The
promontory of Capachica forms a
bay in the north-west end of the
lake, 15o 44' 28" S. lat.
Caravaya, 39, 192. A province of the
department of Puno, on the eastern
side of the Andes. Its forests are
watered by streams famous for
their gold washings. G.
Cavanas, 131. Corruption of Cahuana.
Several places of this name. One
near Huamachuco, another in An-
cachs, another near Lucanas, an-
other in the department of Puno.
Caxamarca, 432, 434, 435. Corruption
of ccasa, ice ; and marca, a town.
In a large plain, at the foot of the
eastern Andes, in 7° 9' 31" S. lat.
Here the Yrica Atahualpa was ar-
rested, and put to death by Pizarro. g.
540
INDEX.
Chachapoyas, 168, 180. A province
and town in the department of
Amazonas, in 6° 7' 41" S. lat. g.
Chancas, 431. A warlike tribe of the
Ynca nation, round Guamanga, and
extending as far as the Apurimac. G.
Charcas, iv, 150, 155, 274, 525. A
great province of the old Vice-royalty
of Peru ; the modern Bolivia. G.
Chichas, 417. A tribe in the southern
part of Upper Peru (modern Bo-
livia) . G.
Chincha-suyu, 414. The northern di-
vision of the Empire of the Yncas. G.
Chirihuanos, iv, 72, 150, 530. A war-
like tribe in the forests to the east
of the Andes, in Uj)per Peru (mo-
dern Bolivia), g.
Chucuito, 161, 362; lake, 416. A
town on the western shore of lake
Titicaca. The lake itself was some-
times called "of Chucuito". Lat.
15o 54' 10" S., about 12,000 feet
above the sea. g.
Chumbivilicas, 198, 199, 417. The
dancers of the Ynca court. Their
province is near Cuzco, in the val-
ley of the Apurimac. g.
Chunchos, 427, 530. Wild Indians
in the forests east of the Andes, g.
Chuqui-apu (see La Paz). From
chuqui, a lance in Quichua, or gold
in Aymara ; and apu, chief. See
G. de la Vega, i, p. 225. On this
site the city of La Paz was founded.
G.
Colla-suyu, 361, 414. The southern
division of the empire of th« Yncas.
G.
Collao,83, 95, 151, 155, 361, 416. The
region comprised in the northern
half of the basin of lake Titicaca.
Collahuas, 131. In the province of
Huaras, north of Lima, a pass over
the Andes. Another of the same
name near Arequipa. o.
Coaillo, 368. A province where there
were many witches.
Cunti-suyu, 414. The western divi-
sion of the empire of the Yncas. o.
Cuzco, 155, and passim. The capital of
the empire of the Yncas. g.
Miracle at the siege of, 526.
Hanan, 71, 429. (Upper), g.
Urin, 71, 429, 436. (Lower), g.
Desaguadero, 416. The river which
drains lake Titicaca, flowing south-
wards, g.
Guamanga, 216 (correctly Hua-
manca), now called Ayacucho.
Founded by Pizarro, 9 Feb. 1539.
Lat. 130 8' 45" S. g.
Guayaquil, 156. The sea port of Quito.
G.
Huanca, 199. A tribe of the Ynca
nation in the valley of Xauxa. G.
Huancavelica, 154, 160, 215 (correctly
Huanca-villca), in 12o 48' 38" S. lat.
Capital of the department of the
same name, in the Cordilleras, once
famous for its quicksilver mines.
G.
Huarco, 150. The plain on the coast,
now known by the name of CaSete.
G.
Huarochiri, 368. Folk-lore of, v. A
province of the department of Lima,
in the maritime Cordilleras : between
11° 20' S., and 12° 35' S. It con-
tains the sources of the coast rivers,
Rimac, Lurin, and Mala.
Juli, station of the Jesuits at, v. On
the banks of lake Titicaca.
La Paz, 180. A town to the south of
lake Titicaca, now the commercial
capital of Bolivia. Founded in 1548
by Alonzo de Mendoza, by order of
the President Gasca. Lat. 17° 30'
S. The bishopric of La Paz dates
from 1005
Lima, 46, 111, 127, 426, 432. The
capital of Peru. Founded by Pi-
zarro, January 18, 1535, in 12° 2'
34" S. Called also the City of the
Kings.
Lucauas, 131, 230, 417. Bearers of
the Ynca's letter. A province in
the department of Ayacucho, pro-
perly Rucanas. G.
Mala. A valley on the coast of Peru,
south of Lima. Fig-tree in, 268
Manchay, 368. The lomas, near
Lurin, on the coast, are so called ;
also an hacienda near Pachaca-
mac.
Manta, 225. On the sea-coast of the
kingdom of Quito, q.
Marauon, 82, 83. The upper course
of the great river Amazon. G.
Nasca, 308. A town and valley on
the coast, yielding vines and cotton,
and irrigated by ancient channels.
G. Correctly Nauasca.
OUantay-tambo. {See Tambo.) Ynca
ruins. G. de la Vega calls it simply
Tampu. G. In the valley of the
Vilcamayu, near Cuzco.
Omasuyo, 151, 429. A province on
the eastern shores of lake Titicaca.
Correctly Uma-suyu. g.
INDEX.
541
Paccari-tampu, 71. A place in the
province of Paruro, near Cuzco,
Several traditions point to this
place as the cradle of the Ynca race.
It is said that Manco Ccapac first
appeared here. G.
Paria lake, 151, 283. In the south of
Bolivia. The river Desaguadero,
draining the lake of Titicaca, empties
its vs^aters into the salt lake of Paria
or Aullagas. G.
Pariacaca, 131. A pass over the mari-
time Cordillera of the Andes, in the
province of Huarochiri.
Pasto, 427. The most northern pro-
vince of the kingdom of Quito, but
now in Colombia, o.
Patallacta, 432. An estate in the
province of Paucartambo, near
Cuzco. There is another place of
the same name in Tayacaja, a pro-
vince of Huancavelica.
Paullo, 429. An estate or farm, near
Calca, in the valley of the Vilcamayu
(department of Cuzco).
Payta, 147. A seaport in the north
of Peru, in 5° 6' S.
Paytiti, 82, 156, 171. A fabulous king-
dom in the forests east of the Andes.
Pilco9ones, 427, 530
Popayan, 95. A town north of Quito,
in Colombia : in the province of
Potosi, 90, 152, 196, 197,198, 199, 200,
203, 218, 222, 525. A famous silver
yielding district and town in Upper
Peru (now Bolivia), in the province
of Porco. Correctly Potocchi. G.
Puerto Vie jo, 225. A seaport on the
coast of the kingdom of Quito, g.
Porco, 196, 199, 200, 201 A province
in Upper Peru, in the centre of
which is Potosi.
Quito, 90, 175, 433. Capital of the
kingdom of the same name, nearly
on the equator ; the most northern
part of the empire of the Yncas. g
Rucana. {See Lucanas.)
Runahuanac, 281. Corruptly Luna-
huana ; in the province of Canete,
south of Lima, The town is on the
left bank of the river Caiiete. G.
Salinas, 192
San Bias parish, in Cuzco, 432
Saruma, 192. Mines in the Govern-
ment of Salinas.
Soras, 131. A district in the province
of Lucanas, department of Aya-
cucho. G.
Sta. Cruz de la Sierra, 170, 189, 524
A town and province in the eastern
part of Bolivia
Tambo, 415. The great ruins of
Ollontay-tambo in the valley of the
Vilcamayu. g,
Tiahuanaco, 71, 415. The great ruins
near the south shore of lake Titi-
caca. G.
Titicaca, iv, 71, 83, 151, 165. The
great lake. The boundary between
Peru and Bolivia passes across it.
It is 40 leagues long by 20 broad,
between 15° 59' 57", and 16o 3' 40"
S. lat. ; 12,545 feet above the level
of the sea. g.
Tanaca nunu, 232
Tarapaya, 153, 218, 222. Near Potosi.
An extensive and fertile plain
Toto-cache, 432 (correctly Toco-cachi),
a suburb of Cuzco, now the parish
of San Bias. g.
Truxillo, 167. City founded by Pi-
zarro in 1535. The bishopric
erected in, 1609. In 8° 6' 9" S. lat.,
near the shores of the Pacific. G.
Ttahuantin-suyu, 414. " The Four
Provinces". The general name for
the empire of the Yncas. g.
Tucapel in Chile, 410, 427, 530
Tucuman, 274. A province south of
Charcas, originally in the Vice-
royalty of Peru, afterwards in that
of Buenos Ayres. Q.
Tumbez, 61. The most northern port
in Peru, where Pizarro landed in
1526. Q.
Tumipampa, 432. A province in the
south of the kingdom of Quito, g.
Uros, 83. A tribe of Indians living
among the reed beds in the south-
west of the lake of Titicaca. g.
Valdivia, 192. A town in the south
of Chile.
Vilcabamba, 435. There are several
places in Peru called Vilcabamba.
The district of Vilcabamba, to which
the Yncas retired, is a mountainous
tract north of Cuzco, bordering on
the forests east of the Andes.
Vilcaiiota, 156. A snowy peak on the
eastern cordillera, in 14° 28' 30" S.
lat. ; 17,000 feet above the sea. It
means "the House of the Sun" in
the Colla language. Vilca, the sun ;
and nuta, a house. G.
Xauxa, 165, 272, 416. A town in the
fertile valley of the same name, in
11° 49' 38" S. lat., between the
maritime and eastern Cordilleras of
the Andes ; properly Sausa. g.
542
INDEX.
Yea, 56, 150. A province on the
coast of Peru, yielding cotton and
wine. The town is in 14° 4' 33" S.
lat.
Yscaycingas, 427
Yucay, 155, 165. A village, where
there were Ynca palaces and Laths
in the valley of the Vilcainayu (also
called, in this part, the valley of
Yucay), near Cuzco. o.
III.
QUICHUA WORDS IN ACOSTA.
Acca, 230. Fermented liquor or Cliica.
See O. tie la V&ja, i, p. 298
Aclla, 232. Chosen. Aclla-cnna, Vir-
gins of the Sun, G. de la V&ja, i,
292 ; ii, 250
Alco, a dog (canis Ingsc), 272
Alpaca, 277, 341
Amaru, 435, A serpent. See G. de
la Vega, ii, p. 352
Anas, 59. A small fox.
Apachita, 308, 309, Apachecta, the
dative of the present participle of
Apachinl, I carry. See G. de la
Vega, i, 117. Machani, I worship.
Apachecta muchani, " I offer up
thanks by throwing a stone on a
heap by the road side", on the sum-
mit of a pass. Two words used by
the Indians on reaching the top of a
pass.
Apu, 373. Chief.
Apu-panaca, 332. Officer in charge of
a convent. See also Ramos, cap. 9,
and Ondegardo, p. 165
Arepas, 230
Auasca, 434, 435. Coarse cloth.
Atahualpa, 434, 435. For the deriva-
tion see G. de la Vega, i, lib. ii, cap.
23
Ayamarca, 376. Month of October.
Ayllu, 429, 432. laneage. See G. de
la Vega, i, 67
Ay ma, 377. A song. See Molina, p.
89
Aymuray, 373. April and May. Time
of harvest. Ayrihuay, Molina, 33,
52
Aucaycuzqui Ynti-raymi, 374. June
Cachi, 432. Salt (in Toco-cachi).
Cumac (from Camani, I create). In
the word Pachacamac, which see.
Camay, 373. December.
Carachi, a disease in llamas, 291, 420.
See G. de la Vega, ii, 378
Catucliillay, 304. A star worshipped
l)y .shei)herds, near the milky way.
Catuilla, 304. A name for thunder.
Cavi, 235. An edible root.
Cayo, 375. Dancing. See Molina, p.
89. A playing on drums and singing.
Ccapac, rich. 420, 433
Ccapac Kay mi, 354 {see Ray mi).
Ccompi, 289, 340, 412, 417. Fine
cloth. See G. de la Vega, ii, 324
Ccoya, 411. Queen.
Ccoya Kaymi, 355. Tenth month
Chacana, a star, 305. Also Balboa, 68
Chacra, 374. A farm.
Chacu, 151, 273, 287. A hut. See
also G. dela Vega, ii, 109, 115
Chahua huarc[ui, the eighth month, 375
Chaquira, Minute beads, CiezadeLeon,
cap. xlvi. Also G. de la Vega, ii,
338
Charqui, 289. Dried meat ; whence
jerked meat.
Chasqui, 409, 423. A messenger.
Chicho, 526. Misprint for Ychu.
Chinchilla, 283
Chirimoya, 251
Chunquinchincay, 305. A star.
Chuhu. Frozen potato, 165, 233. G.
de la Vega, ii, 17, 359
Chuquilla. A name for thunder, 301,
341,373. 6ViM</wi, alauce. Yllani,
I shine. Yllapa, a thunder bolt.
Churi, 373. Son.
Coca, 164, 189. Account of, 244, 245,
246
Cochuchu, 235. An edible root.
Collca, 304. The Fleiades. See also
G. de la Vega, ii, 237, and Balboa.
Contesisca, 342, A sacrifice.
Cuntur, 279. Condor.
Curaca, 375. A chief
Cusi, 434. Joy.
Cutec, from cutlni, I overturn. See
Pachacutec
Cuy, 283, 340. A guinea pig. G. de
la Vega, ii, 118, 233, 384
Guaras, 373. See Huaras.
llanan, 71. Upper.
Hatun, 373. Great,
llatuucuzqui, 373. May.
INDEX.
Homaraymi Punchaiqui8,376. Eleventh
month.
Huaca, 300, 308, 318, 323, 325, 340,
355, 361, 373, 375, 412. Sacred.
Huaccha, 420
Huallavicsa, 349. Sacrifice.
Hualpa, 276, 434. A fowl (in Atahu-
alpa.
Huaman, 436. Falcon (in the name
Tarco-huaman),
Huanacu, 277, 341
Huanani, 281. I warn — In the name.
Lunahuana (Runahuansc).
Huanu, 281. Gifano. See also G. de
la Vega, ii, p. 181
Huara (Guaras) 373. Breeches.
Huascar, 434. A chain.
Huasi, 332. A house.
Huauque, 312, 323, 373. Brother.
O. de la Vega, i, p. 314
Huayna, 198, 313, 433. Youth.
Huayra, 195, 196, 209, 210. Wind.
Air.
Hunu, 414. An officer over 10,000.
Inti raymi {see Ynti).
Ituraymi, 37C. (Ytu).
Llallahuas, 309. A kind of potato.
Llama, 288 et seq. 420
Llimpi, 215. A purple colour. See
G. de la Vega, ii, j). 473
Lloque, 355, 436. Left-handed.
Locro, 234. A kind of potato.
Machachuay, 305. Serpent. A con-
stellation. G.de la Vega, ii, 240, 385
Mama, mother (in mama-cocha, Pucha
mama, etc.)
Mama-cocha, 303. The sea. G. de la
Vega, i, p. 293, 300, 302
Mama-cuna, 332, 355. Matrons of the
Virgins. G. de la Vega, i, 293, 300,
302
Mamana, a constellation, 305. Balboa,
p. 58
Mani, 235. An edible root.
Miquiquiray, 305. A constellation,
Balboa, p. 58.
Mirco, 305. The Southern Cross.' G.
de la Vega, ii, p. 476, and Balboa,
p. 58
Mitimaes, 413. Emigrants. G. de la
Vega, ii, p. 476
Morochi, 229. A kind of maize. G.
de la Vega has Muruchu, ii, p. 355
Mulli, 264. The molle tree {ScJiinus
Molle). Cieza de Leon, chap. cxii.
See also G. de la Vega, i, p. 187 ;
ii, p. 364, ;J67
Mullu, 340. A shell.
Mutti, 230. Boiled maize. G. de la
Vega, ii, p. 357
Oca, 235 {Oxalistuherosa). An edible
root
Opa-cuna, 362, 369. Baths. Correctly
Upa from Upani, I wash.
Otojo {see Usuta)
Otoronco {see Uturuncu).
Paccari, 71. Morning. Paccari-tampu
and its legend are mentioned by G.
de la Vega, i, lib. i, cap. 15, 18.
Fernandez, Pt. ii, lib. iii, cap. 5, p.
125. Balboa, Ondegardo.
Pacha. Earth, (in the words Pacha-
camac, Pachayachachic, etc.)
Pachacamac, 301, 325, 327 ; " Creator
of the World", G de la Vega, i, p.
106 ; and ii, pp. 9, 38, 58
Pachacutec, the Ynca, 430.
Pacha-mama, 304. " Mother earth".
Pacha yachachic,301,418,434."Teacher
of the World". See G. de la Vega,
i, p. 109 ; ii, p. 56
Palta, 250
Panaca. See Apu-Panaca.
Pancuncu, 376. A torch. See G. de
la Vega, ii, p. 232
Papa, 165, 235, 236, 308. Potatoe.
G. de la Vega, ii, p. 517, 213, 359
Pirua, 374. A granary.
Pucara, 427. A fort.
Puclla, 444. A sham fight. Warlike
exercise. The word occurs in one
of the prayers given by Molina, p.
31. From Pucllani, I play.
Punchau, 326. Day ; Idol of the Sun.
See G. de la Vega, i, p. 182
Puncu (pongo), 156. Door. G. de la
Vega, ii, p. 240, 312
Pururaucas, 432. Certain Idols. See
G. de la Vega, ii, p. 57
Quinua, 198. {Chenopodium Quinoa),
G. de la Vega, ii, 5, 7, 213, 357, 367
Quipu, 406, 407, 426
Quipucamayoc, 71, 72, 406, 415. See
G. de la Vega, ii, p. 123
Quirau, 429. A cradle. (In Vica-
quirau. )
Quiso, 342. An assembly of birds for
sacrifice.
Raymi, 354, 372. Festival.
Raymi cantara rayquis, 376. Festival.
Ruua, 281. Man. G. dc la Vega, i,
p. 35; ii, 181
Runtu, 276. Egg. G. de la Vega, ii,
p. 89, 481
Saparisca, 342. Sacrifice.
Sapay, 301. Sole. Only. G.delaVega,
i, p. 95, 324
Situa, 355, 375. Festival.
Sora, 230. A strong liquor. G. de la
Vega, i, p. 277
INDEX.
Sucanca, 395. Solstitial pillars at
Cuzco.
Suchi, 151. Fish in lake Titicaca.
G. de la Vega, ii, p. 402
Suyu, 361. Province.
Tampu, 287. Inn.
Taqui, 445. Music.
Tanga-tanga, 373, Idol at Chuqni-
saca. See G. de la Vega, i, p. 120.
Represented the Trinity.
Tarco-huaman {See Huaman).
Ttahuantin - Suyu, 414. The four
provinces. The empire.
Ti9i Viracocha, 307. Perhaps Tiyi,
from Atic, conquering. See Quichua
prayers, given by Molina.
Titu, 38, 434. A proper name.
Toco, 432. Window (in Toco-cachi).
Tomahaui, 197. A cold wind.
Topatorca, 305. A star.
Ttanta, 228, 236. Bread. G.dela Vega,
ii, p. 357
Uchu, 237. Axi pepper.
Uiscacha, 283 {Lagidium Peruvianum).
G. de la Vega, ii, p. 384
Upa. See Opa.
Urcu, 341. Male.
Urin, 436. Lower.
Urcuchillay, 303. The star Vega.
Balboa, p. 58
Usachun, 341. From Usachuni, I ac-
complish.
Usapa, 301. {See Sapay)
Usuta, 67, 424. Shoes. See G. de la
Vega, i, p. 82 ; ii, p. 171.
Uturuncu, 274. Jaquar. G. de la Vega,
ii, p. 385
Vicuna, 132, 286. See G. de la Vega,
ii, 117, 378, 383, 384
Vilcaronca, 341. A sacrifice.
Vilca. (In Vilcaronca), 341. Sacred.
See G. de la Vega, ii, 255, 416.
Molina, 63, 93, 107
Villca, 368. A tree, the fruit of which
is a purgative. {Mo^si.) The juice
is mingled with Chicha.
Viracocha, 301, 304, 307, 418, 428,
434. G. de la Vega, ii, 66
Xiquimas, 235. An edible root?
Yachachic. In Pachayachachic, 301,
418, 428. G. de la Vega, i, 110.
From Yachami, I teach.
Yanlli, 342. A thorny tree.
Yana. Black.
Yanacauri.
Yana-cunas, 368, 433. Indians bound
to service. See Balboa, p. 120, for
the origin of this servitude. See
also G. de la Vega, ii, p. 411
Yana-oca, 235. An edible root. Black
Oca.
Yapaquis.
Ychu, 218, 526. {Stipa Ychn). G.
de la Vega, i, p. 254. {See Chicho)
Ychuri, 361. Confession.
Yllapa, 302, 304, 432. Thunder and
lightning. G. de la Vega, i, 105,
182, 275
Ynca {passim)
Ynti, 302, 373. Sun.
Ai)u Ynti, chief sun.
Churi Ynti, son.
Ynti Huauque, brother.
Yntip Ray mi, 374
Ytu, 376. Feast.
Yuca, 232 {Jatropha Manihot). lint
the proper Quichua word is Asipa,
or Rumu.
Yupanqui, 355, 356, 411. Virtuous.
IV.
INDEX OF THE YNCAS MENTIONED BY ACOSTA.
Amaru, see Tupac Amaru
Atahualpa, 313, 325, 425, 434, 529.
Son of the great Ynca Huayna
Ccapac, by a Princess of Quito. He
usurped the throne of the Yncas
from his legitimate brother Huascar.
For an account of the sanguinary
War of Succession, see G. de la Vega,
ii, p. 505 to 529. See also Velasco,
Hlstoria de Quito, vol. ii. Balboa
also gives a detailed account of the
war, which he received from the
officers of Atahualpa at Quito. The
most authentic account of the arrest
of Atahualpa at Coxamarca, and of
his judicial murder, is in the narra-
tive of Xeres, Pizarro's secretary.
See also my note at p. 102 of my
translation of Xeres.
Caritopa, 432. Don Felipe, grand-
child of Tupac Ynca Yupanqui.
Ccapac Yupanqui, 436. The lifth Ynca.
His reign and death will be found
described in G. de J a Vega, \, p. 234
INDEX.
545
and 269. Hia lineage, called Apu
Mayta, at ii, p. 531. See also
Molina, 85, 88
Coya Cusiliinay, 425. Daughter of
Tupac Yuca Yupauqui, and sister of
Huayna Ccapaf.
Chilicuchi, 434. Atahualpa's general,
who took Huascar prisoner. This
is Acosta's form of Challcuchima.
See G. de la Vega, ii, p. 509. Xeres
has Chilicuchima, p. 84 to 89.
Guaynacapa {see Huayna Ccapac).
Huascar, 425, 434, 529. The legiti-
mate sou and successor of Huayna
Ccapac. See the account of the
birth, and of the rope of gold
(Huasca) made to celebrate it, in
G. de la Vega, ii, p. 103 and 422.
His accession and war with Ata-
hualpa, ii, p. 505, et seq .
Huayna Ccapac, 313, 425, 433, 529.
The twelfth Ynca. His name means
" the rich youth", or one who, from
childhood, has been rich in magnani-
mous deeds. See G. de la Vega, ii,
p. 345. His three marriages are
given at, ii, p. 351; his conquests,
ii, p. 423 to p. 444 ; his remark-
able saying touching the Sun, ii,
p. 445 ; the division of the Empire
between his sons, ii, p. 450 ; his
will and death, ii, p. 461; the dis-
covery of his mummified body, i,
p. 273 ; his lineage, ii, p. 532
Mama OcUo, 425, 434. The mother
of Huayna Ccapac. See G. de la
Vega, ii, 353.
Manco Ccapac, 71, 429. The first
Ynca. Acosta says that, after the
deluge, he came out of the cave at
Paccaii-tampu. {See Paccari-tampu,
in the index of Qaichua words.) The
various accounts of his origin are
given by G. dela Vega, i, p. 63 to 85,
and Molina, p. 6 and 74.
Manco Ynca, 435, 436. Son of Huayna
Ccapac. See G, de la Vega, ii, pp.
352, 526. He made an heroic re-
sistance against the Spaniards, and
besieged Hernando Pizarro in Cuzco,
in February 1536. See the second
] art of G. de la Vega, lib, ii, and
Ilerrara Dec. v, lib. viii, cap. 4.
Manco Avas murdered by a party of
fugitive Spaniards, who had fled to
him for refuge. G. de la Vega, pt.
ii, lib. iv, cap. 7. He left three
sons.
Mayta Ccapac, 436. The fourth Ynca.
For his reign and conquests, see G.
de la Vega, i, p. 173, 210, 233. For
his lineage, ii, p. 531.
Pachacutec, 430. The ninth Ynca.
The story related by Acosta, re-
specting his accession, should be
told of his father, Viracocha. G.
de la Vega describes his reign, ii,
201 to 205, and gives his wise say-
ings, ii, 208, 247.
Paullu Ynca, 435. A son of Huayna
Ccapac who was baptized, and ac-
companied Amalgro on his Chilian
expedition. Acosta knew his sou
Don Carlos. Paullu was personally
known to Cieza de Leon. See
Cieza de Leon, p. 77 and 224. His
son Carlos was a schoolfellow of G.
de la Vega at Cuzco. His grandson,
Melchor Carlos Ynca, went to Spain
in 1602, and became a knight of
Santiago. See G. de la Vega, ii, p.
110, 530. Balboa, p. 304.
Quizquiz, 434. A general of Ata-
hualpa. See G. de la Vega, ii, p.
484.
Sayri Tupac, 435. Son of Ynca
Manco, and grandson of Huayna
Ccapac. He was baptized in 1553,
and died at Yucay in 1560, leaving
a daughter named Ccoya Beatriz,
the Vv'ife of Don Martin Garcia
Loyola. Their daughter was Mar-
chioness of Oropesa. There is a
picture of the marriage in the
cathedral at Cuzco.
Sinchi Rocca, the second Ynca, is
mentioned by Acosta, 436
Tambo, Don Juan, 436
Tarco-huaman, 436. An Ynca not
given by other authors. Acosta
makes him the son of Mayta
Ccapac.
Titu ; treasure of Tupac Ynca
Yupanqui in power of, 433
Tupac Amaru. Acosta omits the
first name, 435. He was the
j'ounger son of Manco Ynca, and
was unjustly beheaded at Cuzco by
the Viceroy Toledo in 1571, iv. See
G. de la Vega, ii, pp. 264, 273
Tupac Ynca Yupanqui, 425, 433.
Father of Huayna Ccapac. Eleventh
Ynca. See G. de la Vega, ii, 91,
246, 304, 321, 344, 352. His
lineage, ii, 581. Discovery of his
mummified body, ii, 273
Viracocaha Ynca, 300, 307, 361, 418,
428, 429, 431. The eighth Ynca.
His history is given fully by G. de
la Vega, i, p. 341, and ii, 50, 65,
N N
546
INDEX.
245, 483, 450. His sayings, ii, 94.
His fondness for the vale of Yucay,
ii, 87. Discovery of his body by
Polo de Ondegardo, i, 273, and ii,
p. 91. See also Cieza de Leon, p.
226, 308, 332, 338, 355, 363, and
Molina, p. 12, 90, 92, 95. His
lineage was called Socso Panaca.
G. de la Vega, ii, p. 331. Acosta
has Coco Panaca.
Yahuar - huaccac. Acosta spells it
Yaguarguaque, 429. The seventh
Ynca. See G. de la Vega, i, p. 327,
347, 349. He was dethroned for
incapacity, ii, 62, 63. His lineage
was called Ayllu panaca, ii, 531.
Acosta spells it Ayllu-anaca.
Ynca Rocca, 313, 429. Sixth Ynca.
See G. de la Vega, i, p. 226, 322,
327, 332. His schools, i, p. 335.
Also ii, 247, 248, 354. His lineage,
531
Yncas : their origin, 71, 428 ; use
of gold by, 191 ; use of coca by,
246 ; their argument against the
Sun being God, 311 ; only con-
fessed to the Sun, 361 ; feasts,
372 ; divisions of their empire, 414 ;
their edifices, 415; bridges, 416 ;
revenues, 418, 419 ; arts, 421 ;
head-dress, 422 ; marriages, 424,
425 ; lineage, 429 ; traditions,
430, 431, 432 ; extent of their em-
pire, 427 ; last Yncas, 435 ; suc-
cession, 436
V.
YNCA SUCCESSION AND THE AYLLUS OR LINEAGES
OF EziCH YNCA.
HANAN CUZCO.
Yncas.
^6. — Ynca Rocca
7. — Yahuar Huaccac -
8. — ViRACOCHA
Q . p. \ Pachacutec, or
'I Ynca Yupanqui
11. — Tupac Ynca Yupanqui
12. — huayna ccapac
URIN CUZCO.
1. — Manco Ccapac
2. — SiNCHi Rocca
4. — Ccapac Yupanqui -
8. — Lloque Yupanqui -
5. — Mayta Ccapac
Tarco Htjaman
Don Juan Tambo -
Lineage {Acosta) .
Page
Acosta.
Uneage (Q. de ^°j °f
7 T7-,„ \ souls m
la Vega). ^^^^^
Vica-quirao
Ayllu-panaca
Coco-panaca
- 429
- 429
- 429
(Vica-quirau) - 50
(Ayllu-panaca) - 51
(Socso-panaca) - 79
Ynaca-panaca
- 432
(Ynca-panaca) - 99
Ccapac sylla
Tumi pampa
- 433
- 433
(Ccapac ayllu) - 18
(Tumipampa) - 22
-
- 436
- 436
- 436
- 436
- 336
- 436
(Chima-panaca) - 40
(Raurava- panaca) 74
(Apu Mayta) - 53
(Hahuarina-panaca) 73
(Usca Mayta) - 35
-
- 436
Descendants in the time of Garcilasso de la Vega 594
1 These numbers show the succession, in one line, according to Garcillasso
de la Vega. Acosta makes two lines spring from Manco Ccapac.
INDEX.
547
VI.
MEXICAN NAMES IN ACOSTA.
Acamapich, 436
Acamapixtli, 468, 470. First king of
Mexico.
Acatzuitillan, 462
Acopilco, 460
Atlacuyavaya, 460
Axayaca, seventh king of Mexico, 493,
494
Autzol, eighth king, 497
Azcapuzalco, 482
Chalcas, 460, 517
Chalco, 489, 517
Chapultepec, 357, 459, 473. A charm-
ing retreat near Mexico.
Chichemecas, 449, 453, 454
Chimalpopoca, tliird king of Mexico,
472, 473, 475
Cholula, 321, 508, 517. A town in
19° 4' N., twenty leagues east of
Mexico.
Coatepec, 459, in the district of
Jalapa ; but there are several places
of this name.
Copil, 459, 463
Cuitlavaca, 486
Culhuas, peopled Tezcuco, 452, 460
Culhuacan, king of, 461, 466, 476
Cuyoacan, 353, 357, near Mexico.
Here Hernan Cortes founded a con-
vent of Nuns, and here, according
to his will, he desired to be buried,
483. Sorcerer at, 498
Guatemala, 497
Guatulco, viii, 400. A port on the
west coast of Mexico, at the western
end of the Gulf of Tehuantepec, in
the Oaxaca province. Here Sir
Francis Drake landed, viii, n.
Izcoatl, king of Mexico, 371, 436, 476,
482, 485
Iztapalapa, 462
Iztacal, 462
Malinalco, 458, 459. A district in
Mechoacan.
Marina, Indian woman. Guide to the
Spaniards, 514
Mechoacan, 457, 465, 504. A province
on the shores of the Pacific, for
eighty leagues.
Mexi, 457
Mexico, lakes, 153, 154 ; deities, 305 ;
burial customs, 315, 316 ; idols, 318,
319 ; gods, 321 ; sacrifices, 323 ;
temples, 327 ; priests, 830 ; virgins,
333 ; monks, 336 ; human sacrifices.
323 to 350 ; festivals, 356, 357, 377
to 384 ; unction, 364 ; baptism,
369 ; marriage, 370 ; writings, 402 ;
picture writings, 403 ; records, 404 ;
succession, 436 ; nobility, 438 ;
warfare, 440 ; knighthood, 441 ;
schools, 442 ; early inhabitants ;
449, 450 ; migrations of the Mexi-
cans, 456 ; foundation of the city,
462 ; first king, 466 ; floating gar-
dens, 469 ; death of first king, 470 ;
second king, 471 ; third king, 473 ;
power of kings, 474 ; murder of
third king, 475 ; fourth king, 476 ;
coronation, 468 ; 477 ; Mexico was
founded, with the name of Tenoch-
titlan, in 1327, on a lake in the
midst of a valley forty leagues
round. Cortes took the city on 13
August 1521. Water brought to,
499 ; entry of Cortes into, 518 ;
insurrection at, 520 ; Spaniards
retreat from, 521 ; return of Cortes
to, 523
Montezuma I, 487, 488, 493
Montezuma II, 436 ; character, 500 ;
household of, 503 ; coronation, 504 ;
Government of, 505 ; signs and evil
omens presaging fall of, 506 to 512 ;
news of the Spaniards, 513 ; em-
bassy, 514 ; his terror, 516 ; stra-
tegy, 517 ; submission to Cortes,
518 ; and death, 520
Nauincopa, 216
Navatlacas. Invaders of Mexico, 451
Quahuanahuac, 453
Quaxutatlan, 497
Quetzalcoatl, 384, 508, 514
Suchimilcos, 452
Tacuba, 491
Tenoxtitlan (name of Mexico), 478
480
Tepeaca, 504
Tepanecas, 452, 460, 464, 468, 478,
480, 481, 485
Tepotzotlan, 446
Teuculhuacan, 455
Tezcatlipuca (Mexican God), 339, 377,
378, 379, 517
Tezcuco, 253, 437, 452, 466, 476, 487.
A town fifteen miles E.N.E. of
Mexico, at the foot of the hills in
19o 31' 30" N. Speech of king of,
501, 502
Ticocic, 493
548
INDEX.
Ti^aapan, 460
TlatcUulco, 496
Tocci, 46(1. An idol.
Tozcoatl, 377
Tlacael, 436
Tlacaellel, 478, 479, 481, 484, 487;
refuses the crown, 491 ; death, 494
Tlascala, 504, 517, 519, 530
Tupilciii, 514
Tula, 459
Vitzilipuztli (Mexican god), 305, 356,
455, 457, 460, 463, 469 ; festival of,
357, 377, 491, 500
Vitzilovitli, 471
Zacatecas, 210. A province in the
north of Mexico on the tropic of
Cancer, 210 miles long by 177. Its
tableland is 6,500 feet above the
sea.
VII.
LIST OF SPANIARDS AND OTHER EUROPEANS
MENTIONED BY ACOSTA.
Acosta, Bernardo de, brother of the
autho]', i ; in Mexico, ix
Christoval de, i ; author of a
work on the drugs of India, ii, n.
— Joseph de, the author, his
birth, i ; becomes a Jesuit, ii ; sails
for Peru, ii, 56 ; on the isthmus of
Panama, ii, 263 ; observes the antics
of monkeys, 285 ; crosses the line,
iii, 90 ; arrival in Peru, iii ; crosses
the Andes, his sufferings, 130, 131 ;
cured of snow blindness, 288 ; goes
to Lima, v ; at the Council of Lima,
vii.; his sermon, vii ; sailed for Mex-
ico, viii, 127, 391, 400 ; his return
to Spain, ix, 194, 204, 226, 239,
260, 271 ; had seen the part of the
heavens unknown to the ancients,
4 ; his views respecting the peopling
of America, 46 ; believed that the
Old and New World were joined, or
approached near, 60 ; heard about
the Amazons from a Jesuit who
had been with Ursua, 82 ; saw the
comet of 1577 in Peru, 122 ; saw
camels in Peru, 272 ; knew a man
who lost his toes by frost-bite, 133 ;
conversations with Sarmiento's
pilots, 140 ; saw giants' bones in
Mexico, 454 ; his publication of the
first two books of the Natural His-
tory in Latin, ix, xi ; his religious
works published at Rome, x ; his
work, l)e Promulgatione Evangelii,
xi ; his Natural History publislied
in Spanish, xii ; editions and trans-
lations, xiii ; the English transla-
tion, xiv ; account of, by Antonio,
XV, n. ; his death at Salamanca, x
Aguirre, Lope de, the famous pirate
who descended the river Amazon in
1560. Acosta heard of the won-
derful voyage from a Jesuit who,
when young, was in it, v, 83. He
has Diego instead of Lope. (See
Search for El Dorado, Hakluyt So-
ciety's volume for 1861.)
Alcoba9a, Diego de, his confession-
aries in native languages, v
Almagro, Diego de, allusion to his in-
vasion of Chile, 133
Alonzo, Hernando, pilot in the expe-
dition of Sarmiento, his account of
the Straits of Magellan, 143
Alvarado, Pedro de, 521. Li com-
mand at Mexico. He was the chief
lieutenant of Hernan Cortes, and
afterwards conquered Guatemala.
Antonio, Dr. Nardo, an Italian phy-
sician, alluded to as quoting from
the work of Dr. Francisco Her-
nandez, 261
Arriaga, Pabl'o Jose de, his work on
the extirpation of idolatry, v
Avila, Dr. Francisco de, his work on
the folk-lore of Huarochiri, v
Balboa, Blasco Nunez de, discoverer
of the South Sea, 135
Bertonio, Ludovico, his Aymara dic-
tionary, V
Betanzos, Fray Domingo de, a Domi-
nican, 531. He was born at Leon,
and studied at Salamanca, whence
he went to Rome to seek permis-
sion from the Pope to become a
hermit. Having obtained the de-
sired leave, he went to the Isle of
Ponza and lived there as a hermit
for five years. He then became a
Dominican and, in 1514, he went to
Hispaniola. In 1526hewiks one of
the lirst twelve Dominicans who
INDEX.
549
went to Mexico. Thence he re-
moved to Guatemela, and, after
labouring for many years, he re-
turned to Spain, and died in the
monastery of San Pedro at Valla-
dolid.
Cabrera, Amador de, possessor of a
rich quicksilver mine at Huanca-
velica, which he sold, 216
Caiiete, Marquis of, 432, 435
Carbajal, Gutierrez, Bishop of Pla-
sencia. A ship of his passed
through the Strait of Magellan,
137.
Castro, Lope Garcia de, 215. Go-
vernor of Peru, under the title of
President of the Audience. He
succeeded the Viceroy, Conde de
Nieva, who was assassinated in 1562.
In his time the quicksilver mines of
Huancavelica were discovered. He
colonised the island of Chiloe,
founding the town of Castro. In
1567 he despatched the expedition,
under his young nephew Alvaro de
Mendana, which discovered the So-
lomon Islands. In 1567 the Jesuits
arrived in Peru. Castro was suc-
ceeded by the Viceroy Toledo in
1569.
Cavendish Thomas, his capture of a
prize near California, 141 w.
Centeno, Diego, a vein of silver ore at
Potosi named after him, 199. A
man of good family, native of Ciu-
dad Rodrigo. At the age of twenty
he came to Peru with Pedro de
Alvarado in 1534. He fought on
the side of the Pizarros at the battle
of Las Salinas on April 26th, 1 538,
and under Vaca de Castro at Chu-
pas. He received a rich estate at
La Plata ( Chuquisaca), in the pro-
vince of Charcas, where he was
Alcalde when the Viceroy Blasco
Nunez Vela published the new
laws. At first he was opposed to
them, but he eventually rose against
Francisco de Almendras, whom Gon-
ssalo Pizarro had appointed his lieu-
tenant in Charcas. He seized Al-
mendras, who was a friend and
almost a brother to him, and had
him beheaded at La Plata. Gon-
zalo Pizarro sent Carbajal against
Centano, who defeated him several
times, and he was obliged to hide in
a cave near Arequipa. On the ar-
rival of Pedro de la Gasca in Peru
Centeno again collected a force, bat
was defeated by Gonzalo Pizarro in
the battle of Huarina. He escaped
and joined Gasca at Andahuaylas,
being present with him at the battle
of Sacsahuana. He had charge of the
person of Gonzalo Pizarro until his
execution. Centeno died in 1549,
He was a short fair man, with a red
beard.
Columbus Christopher. A nameless
pilot said to have given the secret
of the discovery of America to, 54.
For a full discussion of this story,
see my note in the first volume of
my translation of the Royal Com-
mentaries of Garcilasso de la Vega,
p. 24.
Cortez, Hernando, Marques del Valle,
conqueror of Mexico, 304, 353, 458,
498 ; his arrival on the coast of
Mexico, 514 ; march to Mexico, 517,
518 ; interview with Montezuma,
519 ; return to Mexico, 523
Costillas, Geronimo, lost his toes from
frost bites in Chile, 133. He was a
native of Zamora, of good family.
He dissuaded Almagro from ex-
ecuting Hernando Pizarro, and fled
from Gonzalo Pizarro to Arequipa
and Lima. He was afterwards ac-
tively engaged in the campaign
against Giron. He had a house at
Cuzco. (See G. de la Vega, ii, p.
243.)
Drake, Sir Francis, vi ; his passage of
Magellan Strait, 137 ; his Portu-
guese pilots land in New Spain, 140 ;
at Guatulco, viii, n.
Ercilla, Alonzo de, 136 ; said to have
written part of his Araucana on
plantain leaves, 244. For his life
and writings, see Ticknor's Spanish
Literature, ii, p. 426.
Garces, Henrique, a Portuguese, the
discoverer of the quicksilver mine
of Huancavelica, 215
Gasca, President, 429
Grimston, Edward, English translator
of Acosta, account of, xiv
Henriquez, Don Ma,rtin, Viceroy of
Mexico from 1568 to 1580, and of
Peru from 1581 to 1583. He was
a younger son of the Marquis of
Alcanices. {See Hawkins's Voyages,
p. 75, n.) Acosta conversed with
him on the subject of a southern
continent, vi, 139, 391, 423 ; his
death, vii.
Hernandez, Dr. Francisco, 261. He
was born at Toledo in 1514, and gra-
550
INDEX.
duated at Salamanca. In 1570,
Philip II sent him to Mexico, with
the cosmographer Francisco Do-
minguez, to write the natural his-
tory of that Viceroyalty. He re-
turned in 1576, but died before he
could publish the results of his
labours. He prepared sixteen MS.
folio volumes, six describing the
plants, animals, and minerals of New
Spain, and ten of drawings. Fran-
cisci Hernandez rerum medicarum
NovcB Hispanice Thesaurus sen
plantarum, animalium, mineralium,
Mexicanorum Ilistoria, tom i, 1648 ;
ii, 1651, folio. He also translated
Pliny's Natural History. {See An-
tonio, Bib. iScript. Hisp., i, p. 432
Holguin, Dr. Gonzalo, his Quichua
grammar, v
Ladrillero, Captain, his account of a
voyage through the Straits of Ma-
gellan, 137
Lancero, a soldier of Peru, cures
wrought by, 525
Loaysa, Dr. Don Geronimo de, first
Archbishop of Lima, 425 ; letter
from Polo de Ondegardo on the rites
of the Peruvians, 356. Loaysa was
native of Truxillo in Estremadura,
a Dominican, made Bishop of Car-
thagena in 1537. In 1543 he was
translated to Lima, which was made
an Archbishopric in 1548. He
died at Lima in 1575, and was
buried in the hospital of Santa
Ana, which he had founded.
Magellan, Fernando, his discovery of
the Strait, 136
Mandana, Alvaro de, discovered the
Solomon Islands in 1568, 46, 115
Matienza, Judge, iv
Melendez, the Adelantado Pedro,
affirmed that there was a passage
north of Florida, 140 ; on whale
fishing, 150 ; or Menendez ? Pe-
dro Menendez was a native of
-Aviles near Oviedo, of a very ancient
Asturian family. He was a daring
sea captain. In 1565 Philip II sent
him with a fleet to conquer Florida.
He returned, and died at Santander
in 1574. His nephew Pedro, Mar-
quis of Aviles, went out to Florida
with his uncle the Adelantado. He
was killed by the Indians. Menen-
dez wrote a report on his examina-
tion of the east coast of Florida,
Mendoza, Garcia de, Governor of Chile,
sent a ship to explore towards the
Strait of Magellan, 137. Garcia Hur-
tado de Mendoza, son of the Marquis of
Canete, was a young man of twenty-
two when he came to govern Chile
in 1577, sent by his father the Vice-
roy of Peru, He made a successful
war on the Araucanians, and ex-
plored the archipelago of Chiloe,
He founded Mendoza on the east
side of the Andes, and rebuilt An-
gol and other towns previously aban-
doned. In 1561 he was superseded
and returned to Spain. He came out
as Viceroy of Peru in 1590 until
1599. His life by Christoval Suarez
de Figueron was published in 1613.
{See Hawkins's Voyages, xxviii, 255,
n, 338, 340. Hakluyt Society's vo-
lume for 1878.)
Mogrovejo, Dr. Toribio, Archbishop
of Lima, vi ; lives of, viii, n.
Monardes, Dr., on whale fishery, 150;
on liquid amber, 259 ; on tobacco,
261
Narvaez, Pamphilo, landing in Mexico,
520
Pizarro, Francisco, conqueror of Peru,
treasure seized by, 325, 432, 435,
529
Pizarro, Gonzalo, 429
Polo de Ondegardo, iv, v, 304, 313,
314, 356, 369, 391, 425, 432, 434,
525, the licentiate, was born at
Salamanca, and in 1545 he was in
Peru, with the fame of a very
learned and prudent man. He was
a friend of Gonzalo Pizarro, yet
Gasca made him corregidor of
Potosi. Afterwards he was corre-
gidor of Cuzco, when he discovered
several mummies of the Yncas,
w^hich were sent to Lima. He was
the adviser of the Viceroy Toledo,
and died at Potosi in about 1575,
very old and rich. His widow mar-
ried Don Alonzo de Loaysa, a citizen
of Potosi, and survived until 1603.
His valuable Relaciones are ad-
dressed to the Viceroys Marques de
Canete and Conde de Nieva, 1561-
71. They show him to have been
a humane and good man. They
are in MS. in the Escurial. Another
MS. of Ondegardo is in the Royal
Library at Madrid. It is printed in
the Hakluyt Society's volume for
1872, p. 151. (See also Prescott's
Conquest of Peru, i, p. 163.)
Roa, Juan de, an Austin friar, and
zealous preacher, 531
INDEX.
551
Salinas, Juan de, the Adelantado, his
entry of the river Amazons, 157
Sanchez, Father Alonzo. On the
trade winds, 123 ; Chinese writings,
400
Sarmiento, Pedro de Gamboa, vi, 137,
138. Sarmiento had studied the
records and ancient traditions of
the Yucas, one of which told how
the Ynca Tupac Yupanqui had
visited the islands far to the west,
called Ahuachumbi and Nina-
chumbi. He sailed in the fleet of
Alvoro de Mendana in 1567, with
the object of reaching these islands.
He is believed to have written a
Historia de los Yncas. In 1579 he
was sent with a fleet from Lima to
explore the strait of Magellan. His
journal was published at Madrid in
1768. Viaje al estrecho de Magal-
lanes por el Capitan Pedro Sarmiento
de Gamboa en los anos 1579 y 1580.
There is an account of Sarmiento
and his surveys in Burney's Voyages,
ii, pp. 3 to 57
Tobar, Juan de, ix, 391
Toledo, Francisco de, second son of
the Count of Oropesa. Viceroy of
Peru from 1569 to 1581, iii, iv, 137,
151, 204, 216, 231, 256
Torres, Eodrigo de. A
introduced the use of
for fuel, in mining, 218
TreQo, Tacomo de, of Milan. A worker
in brass at 'Madrid. The way his
workmen preserved themselves from
the injurious efiects of the fumes of
quicksilver, 212
Ursua, Pedro de, commander of the
expedition down the Amazon in
1560. {See Aguirre) 157, 171
Vaca, Cabeza de, 525. In 1527 he
miller who
yohu grass
went as treasurer in the expedition
of Pamphilo de Narvaez to Florida.
Narvaez was lost in a storm near
the mouth of the Mississippi, and
Cabeza de Vaca took command. He
and his followers were reduced to
the necessity of cannibalism, and
were afterwards made slaves by the
Indians. He escaped, and, after
passing through a variety of in-
credible hardships, reached Mexico.
He retired to Spain in 1537. He
was afterwards Governor of Para-
guay.
Valdes, Diego Flores de. The officer
sent, with Sarmiento, to fortify
Megellan's straits {see Sarmiento),
139
Valencia, Fray Martin de, 531. A
zealous Franciscan preacher. He
was a native of Valencia. In 1523
he was appointed to take out twelve
Franciscans to Mexico, as their pro-
vincial. Here he worked zealously
for the conversion of the Indians.
He died on a journey from Mexico
to Tehuantepec, on August 31st,
1534. He wrote interesting letters
to Charles V and to the Pope
Adrian VI, as well as to Friar
Matthew Weiser, the General of his
Order, describing the spiritual con-
quest of Mexico. He was also the
author of some historical docu-
ments.
Valera, Bias, the Jesuit, v.
Valle, Marques del. (See Cortes.)
Velasco, Pedro Fernandez de, intro-
duced the refining of silver with
mercury in 1571, 217
Villaroel, the Spaniard whose servant
discovered the mines of Potosi, 203
T. KICHA.KDS, 37, GREAT QUEEN" STEEET, W.C.
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